THE NORTHERN REGION WITHDRAWAL OF ALLIED AND AMERICAN SUPPORT OF THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT IN NORTHERN RUSSIA-Continued Date and number Subject Page 1919 July 10 From the Russian Chargé 636 Request that two U. S. railway companies, scheduled to be withdrawn from Murmansk, be retained until replaced by other engineering troops. July 11 To the President 636 Request for approval of arrangements for shipment of flour to Archangel. Enumeration of reasons why action is so neces sary. (Footnote: Annotation on margin indicating President Wilson's approval.) July 11 (1315) From the Chargé in Russia (tel.) 637 Rapid withdrawal of U. S. military and naval units. Plea July 12 (710) To the Chargé in Russia (tel.) 638 Inquiry as to views regarding retention at Archangel of two companies of U. S. railway engineers, as urged by Provisional Government. July 17 (1327) From the Chargé in Russia (tel.) 638 Withdrawal of U. S. railway engineers from Murmansk, upon their refusal to volunteer to remain. Miller's request for replacement and presence of naval unit with full complement of marines subject only to U. S. authority. July 18 To the British Chargé 640 Information that no funds are available for financial assistance to Archangel Provisional Government. Purchase of $1,000,000 worth of grain for shipment on Redondo to Archangel. Inquiry whether British and French will participate to like extent and, if so, whether this will cover requirements. From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) From Cole at Archangel: Mutiny of Russian troops, Onega passing into hands of Bolsheviks; Ironside's recommendation to London for immediate reenforcements or evacuation; importance of evacuation of friendly Russians and Provisional Government. From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) From Cole at Archangel: Cordons thrown around mutinous region; engagements of indecisive nature, British reporting situation well in hand; possibility of Russian staff evacuating to Murmansk. From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) Publication of British official view of situation in North Russia (text printed) claiming no immediate danger to troops, but announcing the speeding up of evacuation because of late reverses and dispatch of reenforcements by French. From the Commission to Negotiate Peace (tel.) Proposed plan to appoint Governor General for North Russia no longer of interest, as British decision to evacuate Archangel involves the complete collapse of Archangel government. 641 642 643 643 THE NORTHERN REGION WITHDRAWAL OF ALLIED AND AMERICAN SUPPORT OF THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT IN NORTHERN RUSSIA-Continued Date and number Subject Page 1919 Aug. 2 (723) To the Chargé in Russia (tel.) 644 Instructions to prepare for possible Bolshevik control of Aug. 2 (1358) 644 Aug. 3 (2687) 644 Aug. 3 (26) Aug. 5 Aug. 6 (725) From the Chargé in Russia (tel.) Advice that Redondo should not proceed to Archangel, since From Cole at Archangel: Imminence of evacuation by From the Consul at Archangel (tel.) Loss of Onega; inevitable submission of whole region to From the Acting Secretary of the Navy Issue of order for U. S. S. Des Moines to remain at Archangel and vicinity. Presence of Eagles 1, 2, and 3 and Yankton in vicinity. To the Chargé in Russia (tel.) Authority to evacuate Embassy, Consulate, and U. S. citizens on such date as seems advisable. Inquiries as to adequacy of accommodations for evacuation of Americans and Russians on British ships. 645 646 646 Aug. 9 (1371) From the Chargé in Russia (tel.) 647 Report that British are arranging for evacuation of U. S. Embassy and Y. M. C. A. personnel and that plans for evacuation of Russians are not complete. Au2752) Provisional Gov From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) 647 Aug. 11 ernment's note, August 5 (text printed) making urgent plea 649 From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) From Cole at Archangel: Futility of attempt to organize resistance to Bolsheviks after departure of British troops by changes in government, suppression of military dictatorship, and concentration of control in civilian hands. Desirability of removing government and valuable supplies when British depart. 650 650 Information that no U. S. tonnage will be provided unless reported as necessary to save situation. THE NORTHERN REGION WITHDRAWAL OF ALLIED AND AMERICAN SUPPORT OF THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT IN NORTHERN RUSSIA-Continued Date and number 1919 Subject Page Aug. 14 (2798) From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) 651 From Cole at Archangel: Defeat of entire Bolshevik force on Dvina River by British and Russians, many prisoners and supplies being taken. Aug. 14 (2797) From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) 651 Aug. 14 (2793) From Cole at Archangel: Report from Onega district of mutiny of 5th Northern Rifle Regiment and its remobilization in name of Soviet Republic; establishment of Soviet authority; and abolishment of Zemstvo and Duma. From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) From Cole at Archangel: Receipt of official notification of changes in Archangel government and reply that the United States will be favorably impressed by efforts toward representative government. To the Chargé in Russia (tel.) 652 Aug. 15 (736) 652 For Cole: Approval of Cole's reply regarding Archangel representative government. Aug. 16 (2808) From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) 652 From Cole at Archangel: Embarkation of most of Italian troops at Murmansk for repatriation. Aug. 17 (1381) From the Chargé in Russia (tel.) 652 Detailed reply to inquiry regarding transportation, stating Aug. 18 (1384) From the Chargé in Russia (tel.) 653 Report that French will not participate in new food shipments under present conditions. From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) 653 Aug. 25 Aug. 21 (2852) From Cole at Archangel: Provisional Government's deci- Representatives of the Northern Region of Russia to President 655 Aug. 27 (2903) Appeal for the retention of Allied troops in North Russia. 657 From Cole at Archangel: Fifteen measures adopted by Zemstvo and Municipal Assembly in attempt to establish parliamentary system of government. Sept. 3 (1403) From the Chargé in Russia (tel.) 659 Departure of all U. S. private individuals from Archangel, several officers remaining for special work. Sept. 3 (2959) From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) 659 Sept. 4 (751) From Cole at Archangel: Intention to leave Sept. 7; no Instructions to reply to appeal of Conference of Zemstvos 660 THE NORTHERN REGION WITHDRAWAL OF ALLIED AND AMERICAN SUPPORT OF THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT IN NORTHERN RUSSIA-Continued Explanations offered Zemstvo Conference regarding withdrawal of troops and U. S. assurances of sympathy and further efforts to assist in happy outcome of struggle. Sept. 9 (1410) From the Chargé in Russia (tel.) Sept. 10 (5946) Sept. 14 (1417) Sept. 18 Sept. 19 (4280) Sept. 20 To the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) Instructions to repeat to American Mission at Paris certain The Russian Military Attaché to the War Department From the Commission to Negotiate Peace (tel.) No measures contemplated by Council of Four to support The Director of Military Intelligence to the Russian Attaché Page 660 661 662 662 662 663 Oct. 17 From the Consul at Murmansk (tel.) 664 Report of complete evacuation of Allied forces from Murmansk; restoration of order. Continued arrival of refugees from Archangel. Nov. 11 From the Consul at Murmansk (tel.) 664 Nov. 21 Nov. 24 Report of unusual quiet, with morale at front above criticism; similar conditions reported at Archangel. Supplies sufficient for several months. Immediate closing of consulate. To the Chairman of the U. S. Shipping Board Assurances, in regard to certain shipments of flour and coal to Russia, that Department will not recognize any future Russian Government that does not assume obligation for these debts. From Commissioner John A. Donald of the U. S. Shipping Board Shipping Board's decision to make shipments of coal and food to Russia under assurances of Department of State. 664 665 CHAPTER IV THE BALTIC PROVINCES CONFLICT OF THE WHITE RUSSIANS AND INHABITANTS OF THE BALTIC PROVINCES WITH THE BOLSHEVIK FORCES IN WESTERN RUSSIA Date and number Subject Page 1919 Jan. 6 (3410) From the Chargé in Denmark (tel.) 666 Report that Riga is now believed to be in hands of Bolshe viks. Jan. 7 From the Chargé in Denmark (tel.) 666 (3419) Ineffectiveness of Provisional Governments of Esthonia and Latvia to deal with Bolshevik encroachments; Esthonian request for British protectorate or for military help. Jan. 24 (3510) From the Chargé in Denmark (tel.) 667 Latvian Prime Minister's request for Allied intervention or permission to recruit U. S. and Allied volunteers; and for arms, ammunition, food, and loan. 668 Feb. 7 (1407) To the Chargé in Denmark (tel.) Order of Secretary of War stopping recruiting in the United States; suggestion that loan to Latvia be taken up with American Mission at Paris. From the Commission to Negotiate Peace (tel.) Feb. 15 (768) 668 Lithuanian petition to Peace Conference to recognize independence of Lithuania. Consideration of sending commission to determine whether its Government represents will of majority. Feb. 15 (769) From the Commission to Negotiate Peace (tel.) 668 From Lansing: Consideration of Esthonian petition for recognition, independence having been provisionally recognized by British, French, and Italian Governments. Arrangement between Esthonia, Latvia, and Lithuania for common struggle against Bolsheviks. Permission given by Sweden, Finland, and Denmark to enroll volunteers. From the Chargé in Denmark (tel.) Finland's offer to defeat Bolsheviks in Northern Russia, asking only moral support of Allies and food supplies from United States. From the Vice Consul at Viborg (tel.) Organization of Russian Whites for purpose of capturing Petrograd and Moscow and overthrowing Bolsheviks; their request that United States assist by shipping to Scandinavian port sufficient food to supply Petrograd and Moscow when captured; their desire to cooperate with Kolchak and Allied forces. From the Commissioner at Helsingfors (tel.) 669 670 671 Opinion that sending military forces against Petrograd would be height of folly. To the Commission to Negotiate Peace (tel.) For Lansing: Recommendation that Department be authorized to furnish letter of recommendation to Lettish National League of America seeking to promote trade relations between the United States and Baltic Provinces. 672 |