Great Britain will keep in touch unofficially with Bolshevik government by means of British agent now sent to Petrograd, and by new agent of Bolshevik government in London. Establishment of relations by one of the Allies with Bolshevik government considered best way to combat German intrigue. Suggestion that the United States best suited to undertake task. Political and military conditions, food supply, Bolshevik power, etc., in central Russia, the Ukraine, and in Cossack territories.

Progress of peace negotiations. Preparations by Soviet for demonstration when Constituent Assembly meets. Socialist-Revolutionist meeting.

Great Britain concurs in plan for regular conferences of chiefs of Allied missions in Petrograd, but holds that missions may take independent action, in which Department acquiesces.

Meeting of Allied and American chiefs of missions to discuss their attendance at opening of Constituent Assembly.

Opening of Constituent Assembly: street disorders; Cadet members absent; Socialist-Revolutionists in majority.

Dissolution of Constituent Assembly forced by Red Guards and sailors. Its president criticizes Soviet government for not concluding peace. Anarchists reply to Ambassador's protest against Soviet arrest of Rumanian Minister by counterprotest against prosecution of their comrades in the United States.

Central Committee of Commissars states it dissolved Constituent Assembly both because it was influenced by bourgeoisie and did not admit that all power rests with Soviets.

No.

Date

From and to whom

Subject

Retiring of Allied chiefs to Stockholm or Christiania suggested, but opposed on ground that leaving would promote German interests. Bolsheviks suppress newspapers, and in street fighting put down demonstrations in favor of Constituent Assembly. Japanese Foreign Minister inquires as to U. S. attitude if Russia should send Soviet envoys to the United States and if a RussoGerman peace were made. Belgian Minister urges public statement against separate peace. Individual Americans in relation with Bolshevik headquarters. Rumanian, American, and French Ambassadors are denounced in Russian press for condemning violence against Rumanian Legation.

Food scarcity. Opposition of factory workers to Soviet. Conditions in the Ukraine. Repudiation of national debt rejected by Constituent Assembly but adopted by All-Russian Soviet Congress; its enforcement in hands of Council of Commissars. Trotsky criticizes the United States and makes specific charges against Allies of unfriendly acts. Assumption of control by the AllRussian Soviet Congress, supplanting Constituent Assembly. Quotes chief of U. S. Military Mission in Russia on probable length of Bolshevik régime and assistance advisable if military operations are revived.

Answers Japanese Foreign Minister's queries concerning attitude of United States toward Bolshevik envoys and toward Russo-German peace.

Status of peace negotiations at Brest. Soviet hope of starting social revolution in Central empires. Scarcity of food. Italian Chargé at Petrograd states conditions in Russia are appalling, due to food scarcity and violence. Soviet states strikers in Germany demand peace on Soviet terms, also general peace along lines of President Wilson's message. Department relies on judgment of Ambassador with regard to staying in Petrograd.

No.

Date

From and to whom

Subject

recom

Inquires if Ambassador mends moderation of U. S. attitude towards Bolshevik régime in order not to place Embassy staff in personal danger. Reports Soviet domination spreading; German strikes; Rumanian uprisings. If negotiations end without separate peace, may recommend relations with Soviet. All-Russian Congress of Soviets proclaims its policies on peace, land, public loans, secret treaties, and self-determination of peoples. Opinion of Russian Ambassador in France as to German power in Russia, Japanese intervention in Siberia, and independence of Finland.

Instructions to send to Department weekly résumé of situation.

Soviet government's refusal to release funds of missions until recognition enables them to draw on Russian funds in other countries. Germans purchase large interest in Russian banks. Danish and Siamese Legations invaded by Soviet authorities.

By formal decree Russian calendar to be changed Feb. 14 to accord with western calendar. Russian Patriarch excommunicates Bolsheviks.

Inquires if report is true that passports of envoys of Bolshevik government have been visaed by British representatives.

Believes that anarchistic threats against Embassy should not affect Department's policy; has evidence that Lenin and Trotsky are in German pay.

British authorities have visaed passports for Bolshevik representatives.

1918

2387 Feb. 18

From the Ambassador in Russia

Resumption of hostilities by the 382 Germans; fall of Dvinsk.

(tel.)

383

French Government informs the Bolsheviks indirectly that if they resist Germany, France will help them, and inquires if the United States will do likewise. Germans reported moving toward Petrograd; Ambassador considers leaving with staff.

Germans advance toward Petrograd; Soviet government demoralized. Ambassador urges that the United States assume control of Vladivostok and British and French of Murmansk and Archangel to protect supplies. Attempt to install in Russia a democratic régime has resulted in anarchy; German domination

would be preferable. Intervention the only remedy.

German advance: French and British assist Red Guard to destroy railroad. Food scarcity, rumors of anarchism.

383

384

385

386