File No. 861.00/3037 The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Russia (Francis) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, October 31, 1918, 3 p. m. 331. Your 510, October 23, 6 p. m., under consideration. For your confidential information: command of forces in northern Russia was assigned to the British by decision of War Council at Versailles. Any change would require consideration by the Council. War Department would probably agree to control of American troops by Russian only if officer selected were of definitely approved capacity. LANSING File No. 861.00/3130 The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] ARCHANGEL, October 31, 1918, 7 p. m. [Received November 1, 5.34 p. m.] 532. Mobilization success beyond expectations; 1,500 Russians mobilized but Ironside says Durov weak man. If mutiny occurs Ironside thinks can manage but says will kill mobilization and I concur. Mobilized Russians disobeyed parade orders 29th. Durov addressed recalcitrants in two-hour speech to which corporal replied, then Durov asked if another soldier desired to talk, whereupon another corporal spoke and then about one thousand men attempted to speak at once. One grievance is Allied forces are given more meat than Russians, also given jam and cigarettes, which are withheld from the Russians. In meeting Allied Ambassadors with President to-day I advocated making rations same when Lindley replied ration fixed by British War Office and can not be changed, which is characteristic but unwise. Durov asked Ironside if he would send two companies Allied troops to disarm men, if so requested, and told me Ironside refused; but the latter said had not refused, but required opportunity to judge whether armed Allied forces necessary, otherwise would be blamed for fatal blow to mobilization. FRANCIS File No. 861.00/3196 The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] ARCHANGEL, November 2, 1918, 5 p. m. [Received November 9, 1.08 p. m.] 540. My 532, October 31, 7 p. m. Chaikovski states situation quieted and dissatisfaction among the 1,300 Russian soldiers liqui dated, with changes in command to ensue and segregation of troops. While speaking of matter as unimportant his manner belied his words. Your 331, October 31, 3 p. m., just received and being deciphered. FRANCIS File No. 861.00/3226 The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] ARCHANGEL, November 4, 1918, 5 p. m. [Received November 16, 10.50 p. m.] 548. Durov and Samarin replaced yesterday on order of President Chaikovski by temporary appointees, namely Rear Admiral Vikorst, formerly commander of division of northern Russian fleet, and Lieutenant Colonel Zilinski, formerly General Staff. President to-day stated had cabled General Miller, well-known Russian general in Rome, inviting him to come and accept place in government but as yet no time for reply; also that General Marushevski supposedly en route here from Stockholm and that with the assistance of General Ironside all difficulties with newly formed mobilized Russian troops would be peacefully liquidated to-day. Mobilization in Onega and Shenkursk districts postponed a few days. The President stated that he had requested Tereshchenko to remain here and work with him in the government but that the latter stated the time had not yet arrived for a member of Kerensky government to come forward. He stated in private conversation that he had informed Chaikovski that he did not find his policy sufficiently vigorous and that he expected to telegraph in this sense to the Omsk government upon his arrival in Stockholm. President stated that he had cabled Omsk acknowledging subordination of provisional government of the northern region to the authority of Omsk all-Russian government. Tereshchenko expects to leave to-morrow night for Stockholm. FRANCIS File No. 861.00/3119 The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Russia (Francis) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, November 6, 1918, 4 p. m. 343. For your information. Navy Department has informed this Department that upon the assumption of the duties of commander the United States naval forces in northern Russia, Rear Admiral N. A. McCully was given the following instructions as to policy: 1. Call promptly on our Ambassador and consult with him freely. 2. Read carefully the President's proclamation on Siberian intervention, and the attached despatch of the State Department to our Ambassador to Russia. Shape your policy in accordance with these pronouncements. 3. Cooperate with the military and naval forces of the Allies, in so far as the policies above indicated and the forces at your disposal permit. Maintain cordial relations with the senior United States Army officer. 4. Exert your influence towards the conservation and support of local Russian authority, except where that authority is exercised in a manner contrary to the interests of the Russian people. 5. Your actions should make it clear that you are the sincere friend of the Russian people, and that American forces have no ulterior military or political motive inimical to Russian sovereignty. 6. Subject to the restrictions imposed by our Government's policy and by these instructions, you will regard yourself as under the orders of the senior naval officer of the cobelligerent powers present in northern Russian waters. LANSING File No. 861.00/3225 The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] ARCHANGEL, November 7, 1918. 560. After leaving I have authorized address to American soldiers northern Russia framed by myself. Their spirit of sacrifice and service is commended notwithstanding handicaps under which they have labored. I alluded to provisions made for their comfort by Red Cross and Y.M.C.A. and stated that no service of Allied troops anywhere is of greater importance than in northern Russia. Reference is made to many expressions of President and statement ventured that war will continue in Russia after negotiations for peace between our Government and Allies with Central Empires are effected but that we should be recreant to our obligations if we should withdraw our forces from Russia and permit the Russian people, who have already suffered by loss of six million young manhood, enormous damage to their industries, their commerce and their commercial interests, to continue to exhaust themselves in civil strife or become the victims of any foreign power, etc. FRANCIS Retention of American and Allied Troops in North Russia after the Armistice with Germany-Local Attitude toward the Kolchak Government at Omsk The Chargé in Russia (Poole) to the Secretary of State 1 [Telegram] ARCHANGEL, November 13, 1918, 3 p. m. [Received November 15, 10.45 p. m.] 572. Signing of the armistice has created some uncertainty among the American and French troops. The reasons heretofore assigned for their presence in north Russia no longer seem valid to them. If they are held here there must be an early and authoritative statement of motives as already suggested in my telegram 553 of November 6, 7 p. m.1 Officers and men inquire why military operations are necessary against the Bolsheviki. The situation is aggravated by the British. The military attaché will telegraph the War Department concerning the situation of our troops vis-à-vis the British military authority. There is in addition a suspicion that the British may be "imperialistic" and that American forces are possibly being used toward ends which do not accord with our own ideas. News of the impending return of General Poole tends to confirm this view. Concerning possible withdrawal of American troops it is to be observed, contra, that we have an obligation to the inhabitants of this region who would be exposed, if we withdrew, to severe Bolshevik reprisals and that we have an even more important obligation to all Russia to protect her from economic exploitation by creditor nations which may find themselves with a freer hand now that peace has come. Whether or not the information of the French Ambassador communicated in No. 571, November 12, 8 p. m.,2 is correct, it must be foreseen that any Russian government of the near future will be weak and therefore liable to incur unwise obligations heavily mortgaging the capital wealth of the country and it is by no means certain that nations whose losses in Russia have been more considerable than ours will find it easy to forego the opportunity of obtaining concessions or establishing spheres of influence. The interests of Russia and the ultimate interests of her creditors demand an unhampered reconstruction of the national economy. To this end both have need, but above all Russia, of the friendly offices of a disinterested third party. It is difficult to see how the United 'Not printed. 2 Not printed; it contained the report of a Soviet offer of payment of interest on loans in return for recognition (File No. 861.00/3223). States can avoid the obligation of this rôle in view of our professed friendship for the Russians and their special confidence in us and our ideals. [We?] will not even fulfil it if we withdraw our troops. and leave the field free to our less disinterested associates. One feature of the north Russian situation is the influence which Ambassador Francis has exercised in favor of square deal and I feel sure the presence of an American force here has been an essential factor in his success. POOLE File No. 763.72119/2694 The Chargé in Russia (Poole) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] ARCHANGEL, November 18, 1918, 5 p. m. [Received November 19, 3.03 p. m.] 582. Yesterday at a public meeting organized by the Northern Region Union for the Regeneration of Russia, on the occasion of the Allied victory, Chaikovski and representatives of the union, City Duma, Zemstvo, and Cooperatives emphasized Russia's right to representation at the coming peace conference, on the ground of her sacrifices earlier in the war and the repudiation of the Brest Litovsk treaty by the greater part of Russian opinion. It The French Ambassador replying for the Diplomatic Corps said that the Allies cannot fail to recognize Russia's claim, that future considerations of fact and law must determine what Russian government will be admitted to representation but it can be said now that it will not be the Bolshevik government. He also gave assurances of disinterested aid by the Allies in the regeneration of Russia. General Miller has telegraphed [from] Rome accepting Chaikovski's invitation to come to Archangel saying he will start at once. is proposed to make him governor general of the northern region and commander in chief of the Russian forces. Until he arrives General Marushevski, who arrived yesterday from Stockholm, will fill these offices and subsequently become Miller's assistant. Miller is repudiated [reputed] to be an able soldier of liberal ideas. He went to Rome as chief Russian military mission to Italy. Marushevski seems to enjoy general respect. Is reputed to be liberal and a good organizer. POOLE |