Page images
PDF
EPUB

1

5. I agree with you that the wording could be more simple and direct, but the issues involved were not simple and the methods of meeting them have not always been direct. You know the history of this agreement from your first outline and Horvat's draft and Ustrugov's objections and amendments to the present time and you know how much sensitiveness on our [their?] side had to be overcome. In my judgment this agreement proves that they have in large measure been overcome and while I appreciate the practical difficulties ahead, I have absolute confidence with their [in our?] ability to solve them with the authority that this agreement gives us.

Many rumors are in circulation at the close of recent developments in Omsk. I received the following from Stevens this morning:

December 30, 3 p. m. Have report from Omsk, which so far can not verify as telegraphic communication cut off, that Kolchak killed and Grand Duke Michael now the head of the government. If it is true, undoubtedly effort to restore monarchy. I have not advised Department.

correspondent of the

[ocr errors]

arrived here on way home. Has been through Siberia as far as Ural Mountains and had unusual opportunities to observe conditions. His knowledge of Russian language greatly aided him in many conferences with leading men. He was in Omsk both before and after the proclamation of Kolchak's dictatorship. He reports that the Kolchak movement was engineered by former officials of old régime and in the interest of a monarchy; that it has been most unfavorably received in those parts of Siberia through which he passed and that he is convinced that General Knox was involved in it. It is most unfortunate that General Knox continues to interfere in these internal controversies. He seems to have been a disturbing factor from the day of his arrival. I fear that his activities may be interpreted by many Russians as expressing the views of the Associated Governments. MORRIS

File No. 861.77/597

The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Morris)

[Telegram]

WASHINGTON, January 4, 1919, 6 p. m. Your December 31, 7 p. m. If you deem advisable transmit following message from Department for Stevens:

The Department is greatly concerned because of the reports received daily of the distress in Siberia due to the present intolerable

1Assistant Minister of Ways of Communication under Kerensky; later Minister of Ways of Communication in the successive Siberian governments.

conditions of transportation. It would seem that some plan of action must be adopted at once as the position is now such that the responsibility for further delay in attempting to solve this vital problem may be, with reason, laid upon us and that, therefore, unless we are willing to undertake the task in the face of existing difficulties we should promptly give way to others who will. The Department is eagerly awaiting your decision as to the plan as finally presented to you by Ambassador Morris.

For your personal information. Department commends as a working basis the modified plan you have secured and believes it should be tried but as Stevens must operate plan believes decision must rest with him especially in view of opinions he has expressed.

POLK

File No. 861.77/607

The Chairman of the Advisory Commission of Railway Experts to Russia (Stevens) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

HARBIN, January 8, 1919, 5 p. m.

[Received January 10, 9.25 a. m.]

I am ready and willing to immediately go ahead with the plan of operating the railways which evolved after long negotiations. I have asked Ambassador Morris to complete formalities as early as possible. Myself and service corps are ready to act at once. STEVENS

File No. 861.77/605

The Ambassador in Japan (Morris) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

TOKYO, January 9, 1919, 7 p. m.
[Received 10.35 p. m.]

Pursuant to Stevens's telegram to Department. I have just accepted Japanese plan and negotiations are satisfactorily closed here. Details follow.

MORRIS

File No. 861.77/607

The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Morris)

[Telegram]

WASHINGTON, January 13, 1919, 8 p. m.

Please note and transmit to Stevens:

Department is gratified to know that you feel willing to undertake modified plan which has resulted from the negotiations at

Tokyo. It is believed that Mr. Morris has shown very great tact and ability in reaching a frank and friendly understanding with the Japanese Government and it is very much hoped that you may now have an opportunity to reap some reward from your own long and patient effort, also the men of the service corps.

117328-32-23

POLK

CHAPTER V

TREATMENT OF RUSSIAN SHIPPING

Charter of Several Ships of the Volunteer Fleet to the United States Shipping Board, March 30, 1918-Requisition of Russian Ships by the British Government—Agreement by the United States to the Exclusion of Russian Ships from the Principle of Equal Division of Chartered Tonnage-Protest of the Soviet Government against Seizure of Ships, June 12, 1918-Failure to Provide Ships for the Kamchatka Fishing Service File No. 661.119 Vessels/12

The Russian Ambassador (Bakhmeteff) to the Counselor for the Department of State (Polk)

WASHINGTON, March 16, 1918. MY DEAR MR. POLK: Referring to the question of chartering the Russian Volunteer Fleet steamers to the United States Government, I have directed Mr. C. J. Medzikhovski, the Russian commercial attaché, and Mr. I. Shestakovski, agent of the Russian Volunteer Fleet, to confer with the United States Shipping Board.

As a consequence of conferences between the above-mentioned gentlemen and Mr. Carey and his assistant Mr. Mallory, it has been agreed that the S.S. Nijni Novgorod (4,300 tons), S.S. Kishinev (3,100 tons), and S.S. Toula (3,100 tons), now lying at Seattle; the S.S. Omsk (12,000 tons), now lying at Norfolk; the S.S. Irtysh (7,100 tons), S.S. Novgorod (7,590 tons), and S.S. Yaroslavl (5,500 tons), all expected to arrive in New York or some other United States port in a short time, will be chartered by the United States Shipping Board on the so-called bare-boat form charter.

It is understood, however, that the steamers are to remain under the Russian flag and accordingly the master and part of the officers have to be Russian citizens.

It is further understood that, when the transportation of goods from America to Russia will be resumed again, the above-mentioned ships, or an equal tonnage, will be put at the disposal of the Russian Embassy if notice is given at a reasonable time.

As the above principles meet my approval I am prepared to direct Mr. Medzikhovski, the commercial attaché, with Mr. Shestakovski's assistance, to work out the details of the arrangements and to have them executed on the Russian part in due form as soon as I am

308

informed that the transaction meets the consent of the United States

Government.

Accept [etc.]

B. BAKHMETEFF

File No. 661.119 Vessels/14

The Admiralty Counsel of the United States Shipping Board (Huger) to the Secretary of State

[Extract]

WASHINGTON, March 29, 1918.

DEAR SIR: The Shipping Board is negotiating with the Russian Ambassador, and will this afternoon execute a number of charter parties for the use of various vessels of the Russian Volunteer Fleet. The following letter has been handed to us as the authority for Mr. Medzikhovski to execute the charter parties:

I hereby authorize Mr. C. J. Medzikhovski, commercial attaché to the Russian Embassy, to charter steamships of the Russian Volunteer Fleet to the United States Government on conditions which he may consider proper; to execute and sign charters and other necessary documents, his signature being applied on behalf of the Provisional Government of Russia. Boris A. Bakhmeteff.

Very truly yours,

ALFRED HUGER

File No. 195.2/1637a

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Page)

[Telegram]

WASHINGTON, March 30, 1918, 4 p. m.

7086. Russian steamers Yaroslavl and Novgorod are proceeding from White Sea and will probably call at British port. They are among several ships of Russian Volunteer Fleet now chartered to United States Shipping Board. Terms of agreement provide they may be taken over either in British or American port. Please advise British authorities at once. Shipping Board will give full instructions to London representative.

LANSING

File No. 861.85/7a

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Page)

[Telegram]

WASHINGTON, April 3, 1918, 5 p. m. 7124. Referring Department's 7086, March 30, 4 p. m. Russian Volunteer Fleet steamers Kamenetz-Podolsk and Vologda now at

« ՆախորդըՇարունակել »