units if I find necessary? Have gratifying reports from Siberian line. STEVENS File No. 861.77/207 The Chairman of the Advisory Commission of Railway Experts to Russia (Stevens) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] PETROGRAD, undated. [For] Willard: [Received November 4, 1917, 8 a. m.] Our Ambassador has arranged with Ministry matter my acting as adviser all railways with promise quick cooperation. This is satisfactory and I am proceeding at once accordingly. Send me as quickly as you possibly can three first-class operating men with general mechanical knowledge to act as assistants. Arrange for their salaries and expenses as I have not funds for heavy expenditures. I have telegraphed Miller your suggestion as to his work on Siberian Railway. File No. 861.77/208 STEVENS The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Russia (Francis) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, November 6, 1917, 4 p. m. 1829. For Stevens [from Willard]: Referring your two cables November 4 will send eight more units if necessary. Do not want to send more than you absolutely need. Miller left Vladivostok before could reach him. I will see Emerson before he sails and will try to arrange so it will not be necessary for you to meet him at Vladivostok. How would George Slade suit you for one of operating men referred to in your last cable? Think he would go for few months. Congratulations upon gratifying results you are obtaining. LANSING File No. 861.77/214 The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] PETROGRAD, November 7, 1917, 4 p. m. 1960. Also for Willard: Government probably deposed; shall know definitely later. Meantime would continue plans for sending Emerson force. American Consul, Vladivostok, wired Miller left before Stevens's telegram and mine received but had forwarded same and requested Miller to return with Emerson. Miller departure is disappointing, exasperating. Have wired Stevens that would request you send Miller back with Emerson. Please do as he understands Trans-Siberian Railway which is important factor in war. Shall refer Caucasus railway condition to Stevens and Minister of Ways of Communication. Been trying to telephone latter but unsuccessful. FRANCIS Uncertainty as to Operations Following the November Revolution-Departure from the United States of the Russian Railway Service Corps under Col. George Emerson, November 18, 1917; Arrival at Vladivostok, December 14, 1917; Withdrawal to Nagasaki Accompanied by Stevens File No. 861.77/212 The Secretary of State to the Secretary of War WASHINGTON, November 10, 1917. SIR: I have received a note from the Russian Ambassador, dated November 6, 1917, stating that the schedule of the proposed delivery of 1,500 locomotives for the Russian Government, which I enclose herewith,' requires your approval before it can be put in operation. For your information I am also enclosing a copy of the Ambassador's note.1 I have no hesitation in urging that every possible support be given to Russia. At the same time I hope you will agree that no contract for delivery of railroad material, whether locomotives or cars, should be made with Russia, which does not stipulate that the duration of the agreement is contingent upon Russia's continuing active in support of the war against Germany. A recent telegram from the Ambassador at Petrograd, copy of which you have already seen, also suggests the possibility that Mr. Stevens may modify his previous recommendations upon which the pending schedule is based. The Department has cabled the Ambassador for an urgent decision one way or the other. It consequently seems to me that any final approval of the enclosed schedule of delivery for locomotives should await word which Mr. Stevens has been asked to send. I have [etc.] 1 Not printed. ROBERT LANSING File No. 861.77/223 The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State1 [Telegram] PETROGRAD, November 11, 1917, 5 p. m. 1973. Also for Willard: Stevens returned to Moscow yesterday stopping there. Russian official accompanying Stevens telephoned Department of Ways of Communication. Hear that Stevens thinking of going home or Siberia. Have just given following to to telephone Stevens: Situation here undetermined but this Bolshevik government can not survive and I think will collapse within few days. In the meantime please remain in Moscow. Think safest place is in your car but get in touch with Consul General Summers (giving Summers's office and residence numbers). Please remain in Moscow for the present assisting railroad authorities as no one can do like yourself. When atmosphere clears government in power will be stronger than before. Of course you do not think of returning home. Your services never so much needed in Russia as now and you never had better opportunity to serve this country and ours. If conditions there become unbearable come here where shall provide safe comfortable quarters for you and your son. I am not going to desert this post and if responsible government not soon established shall address manifestoes myself to Russian people. Phone me daily Minister Ways of Communication released from prison but directed to remain in residence consequently inaccessible. Forwarded Stevens your Nos. 18232 and 1827. FRANCIS File No. 861.77/217 The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State 3 [Telegram-Extract] PETROGRAD, November 13, 1917, 8 p. m. [Received November 17, 6.10 a. m.] 1979. Tell Willard learned that Stevens left Moscow yesterday in car 466 for Vologda where car will be connected with Siberian express leaving Petrograd to-night. Stevens accompanied by Russian railroad official, son and interpreter. High railroad official who accompanied Stevens from Petrograd gave this information to the Sent via the Legation in Sweden (No. 1030, Nov. 20). 1 2 Not printed. 3 Sent via the Legation in Sweden (No. 998, Nov. 15). Department of Ways of Communication to-day from Moscow and said he returned to Petrograd and that above disposition of car made on Stevens's urgent request and furthermore that he had delivered to Stevens in Moscow my telegram copy of which cabled you in my 1973. Have nothing from Stevens direct. Considerable fighting reported in Moscow streets. Suggest you cable Stevens, care of American Consul, Harbin, to await instructions there. Suppose you informed concerning conditions here by my cables to the Department. Some government will be established here when Emerson arrives Vladivostok and although I may possibly not advise recognition thereof think any ministry will be pleased to utilize Stevens's and Emerson's force. Moreover tender of their services may be necessary to justify us [in] charging Russia with expense incurred which was undoubtedly stipulated to be paid from advances made Russia. Please answer. File No. 861.77/222 [FRANCIS] The Acting Secretary of State to the Consul at Vladivostok (Caldwell) [Telegram] For Stevens [from Willard]: WASHINGTON, November 19, 1917. Your cable 16th instant.1 Emerson sailed from San Francisco November 18 with 350 men, including interpreters. Two hundred and thirteen make up the instruction unit requested by Stevens. Remaining number include interpreters and the mechanics that are being sent by Baldwin Locomotive Co. to erect new engines at Vladivostok. POLK File No. 861.77/226a The Secretary of State to the Consul at Vladivostok (Caldwell) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, November 23, 1917, 6 p. m. Brooklyn due Vladivostok November 25. Department advised rumor recurrent Siberia that work of Stevens is merely entering wedge for absorption of railway by United States and that arrival Russian Railway Service Corps under Emerson may be interpreted as further step same direction. If inquiries are made of you, you are authorized to say in reply: Stevens railway commission and Emerson railway service corps organized at considerable sacrifice to railways of United States for sole purpose to assist Russia in her need and without any connection whatsoever with financial assistance which has been given by United States. Emerson and his corps sailed for Vladivostok November 18. Stevens reported en route to meet them there. LANSING File No. 861.77/227 The Chairman of the Advisory Commission of Railway Experts to Russia (Stevens) to the Secretary of State For Willard: [Telegram] HARBIN, undated. [Received November 24, 1917, 4.05 p. m.] Just reached Harbin to meet Emerson. Cable me quick Harbin, care of the United States Consul, what ship and when it is due Vladivostok. Send Emerson wireless not to land until I advise him as conditions may not make it advisable. Cable me latest reliable news from St. Petersburg; have nothing from there for twelve days, then situation desperate all over Russia looked like civil war. Quiet through Siberia but may change any day. Siberian Railroad chief meets me here quickly (?) to watch situation and decide matters. I have telegraphed Francis to send Horn to Caucasus. STEVENS File No. 861.77/229 The Chairman of the Advisory Commission of Railway Experts to Russia (Stevens) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] HARBIN, undated. [Received November 26, 1917, 1.17 p. m.] American Ambassador, St. Petersburg, telegraphs me 21st that he has sent you cables daily since the 8th but has your cable saying that you can get nothing from him. Control with Lenin, President, Trotsky, Minister for Foreign Affairs; no recognition and no official notice that any government exists. 1 Henry J. Horn, member of the Advisory Commission of Railway Experts to Russia. |