in the peace negotiations. This refers also to Polish troops. Persons crossing the enemy's demarcation line without observing the above rules will be detained, whereby the term of their release will be fixed either in the peace negotiations or upon the denunciation of the armistice. With respect to military operations on the naval theaters of war the following is agreed to: 1. The armistice embraces the entire Black Sea and the Baltic Sea east of the 15th [degree of] longitude east of Greenwich, and embraces all the naval and aerial forces of the contracting parties in these waters. With respect to the extension of the armistice to the White Sea and Arctic Ocean along the Russian coast there may be arranged an agreement between the naval and general staffs of the contracting parties. Attacks upon naval and commercial vessels of the contracting parties in said zones must be avoided now as far as possible. 2. Attacks by sea or air on ports and shores of both contracting parties in all theaters of naval war are forbidden. Likewise vessels of the contracting parties are forbidden to enter port or approach shores occupied by the other party. Flights above ports or shores of both contracting parties in all theaters of naval war are forbidden. Flights across demarcation lines are forbidden. 3. The demarcation line in the Black Sea is the line from Olinka Lighthouse, mouth of the St. George branch of the Danube, to Cape Geros; in the Baltic it is from Regul, on the western shore of Worms Island, to Bokshar Island. 4. The establishment of detailed rules of navigation for commercial vessels in these regions is entrusted to the commission for armistice in the Baltic and Black Seas. The contracting parties obligate themselves during the armistice in the Baltic and Black Seas not to make preparations for active naval operations directed against one another. To avoid accidents and misunderstandings on the fronts firing practice on the part of infantry is not allowed within five versts of the demarcation line. Aerial forces and captive balloons must be restricted to areas ten versts behind the demarcation line. After a series of minor administrative paragraphs, it is further provided: Immediately after the signature of the present treaty of armistice will begin peace negotiations and the contracting parties express their willingness to withdraw their forces from Persia. To work out the details of such withdrawal of troops and also to assure the above-mentioned principles (?), the Russian and Turkish higher commands will enter at once into negotiations with the Persian Government. Supplementary to and in further development of the treaty of armistice the contracting parties agree to take steps for the speedy regulation of the question of the exchange of civil prisoners and invalids directly across the front. The contracting parties will take measures for the reestablishment of cultural and economic relations between the countries concluding the armistice. To this end measures will be taken, among other things, to facilitate, within the bounds permitted by the armistice, postal and commercial relations, the forwarding of books, newspapers and the like. In connection with the last clause it is noted in the Moscow newspapers that German textiles, notions and other articles have appeared in small quantities in the retail trade near the front, and are being exchanged for fats and foodstuffs. German commercial and industrial enterprises are said to be soliciting orders through permanent, or possibly recently arrived special agents. German governesses are desired in the want columns of the Maximalist press. Trotsky (Bronstein) made a report to the Petrograd Council of W[orkmen's] and S[oldiers'] Deputies in which he pronounced the prohibition of the movement of troops from the Russian to other fronts during the armistice a triumph of Maximalist diplomacy. Kamenev (Blumenberg [Rosenfeld]) made this an unconditional prerequisite of negotiations, and the Germans were forced to agree. The opposition press observes coldly that this is pure buncombe; that the Germans have already transferred their best troops to Italy and France; that the language adopted permits anything the Germans may care to do now; and that this feature of the armistice automatically falls on January 14, 1918, whether the armistice is prolonged beyond that date or not. I have [etc.] 20856-31-22 MADDIN SUMMERS CHAPTER VII THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SOVIET POWER Attitude of the American and Other Governments toward the Bolshevik Régime-Interviews of the American Military Attaché and Red Cross Representative with Trotsky-Decrees Abolishing Private Ownership of Real Estate -The Beginnings of Civil War-Elections to the Constituent Assembly-The Kalpashnikov Incident File No. 861.00/718 The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State' [Telegram] PETROGRAD, November 24, 1917. No disturbance here to-day but tension very great. North front army reported starving and leaving trenches. German work more active, less secretive daily. Understand in direct connection by wireless with Berlin for two days and messages exchanged; also that German Minister for Foreign Affairs addressed message to Soviet government to which reply made by wireless. Reported that new socialist government formed at Stavka with Tseretelli president, and will be supported by sufficient armed force to depose Bolshevik government, but unconfirmed. Newspapers contain official proclamation or order signed by Lenin and Krylenko directing soldiers to negotiate armistice themselves and to place their generals under arrest professedly for protection against lynching. Have managed to continue in touch with Department of Ways of Communication without recognizing Smolny, having obtained special car for eighteen Americans on Trans-Siberian Railway express of the 20th instant and procured their tickets without asking Smolny approval. Sending Horn to Moscow to-night to relieve freight congestion there where reported over ten thousand cars containing provisions. Have arranged with Ways of Communication Department here for Horn's recognition Moscow. 3 Trotsky in speech to committee reporting dispatch of notes to Allied representatives said that America entered war because German 2 1 Sent via the Legation in Sweden (No. 1064). Smolny Institute was used by the Bolsheviks as their headquarters. 'Henry J. Horn, member of the Advisory Commission of Railway Experts to Russia. submarine warfare prevented shipping of supplies to Allied countries when her wharves were crowded with accumulation thereof, and that America's aim in war is commercial supremacy. Fear this armistice negotiation fraught with deplorable consequences. Soldiers without food and clothing will be more than willing to leave trenches, and when they do pillaging will result. FRANCIS File No. 861.00/722 The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State 1 [Telegram] PETROGRAD, November 24, 1917, 11 p. m. [Received November 27, 3.25 a. m.] 2025. Attempt to form government at Stavka failed being unable to agree on Tseretelli or Chernov. Latter acceptable to army but not to other socialist factions. Doubtful whether either could command sufficient following to overthrow Lenin. Quiet here. In some cases regiment reserves right to determine after which [whether] it will obey order when received and even if majority decide affirmatively minority do not comply unless wish. Barracks of Litovski regiment only a block and half from the Embassy. Polish guard left Embassy Wednesday on advice but I sent military attaché to Litovski barracks to inform commander did not desire guard, that regiment having been ordered to supplant Polish guard. Requested military attaché, however, to say that if necessity for use of guard should arise would advise commander by messenger. Military attaché reported guard would be furnished on request. Judson has independently advised that I permit two soldiers of Litovski regiment to stand guard at the Embassy entrance as he has done at Military Mission. I think inadvisable to do so, consequently have had two Embassy employees on guard after 1 p. m., until which time police officer sat in my apartment. My instruction to guard is not to fire on any one attempting forcible entrance but to advise me as I live in Embassy. I should go to entrance in such event and if necessary would dispatch messenger to Litovski barracks for guard. Such arrangements preferable to Bolshevik guard in whom have no confidence and do not know whom it would admit. Three nights passed undisturbed. Understand no bread obtainable Petrograd today and if this continues may have riots. Food shipped by you arrived and distributed. Have you received my personal checks therefor mailed September 21? Last of food entered Embassy to Sent via the Legation in Sweden (No. 1070). 'Brig. Gen. W. V. Judson, Military Attaché and chief of the American Military Mission to Russia. day. Shortly afterwards Red Guard demanded to know what was in packages which entered Embassy gateway and documents permitting same. I directed report that this was American Embassy and packages contained food and kerosene shipped from America, whereupon guards apologized and left. Lawlessness seems inevitable and even Embassy may have trouble. If so shall exercise discretion. Naval attaché reports hearing that British and French Embassies requested battalion each from their respective Governments for protection. Both Embassies have Bolshevik guards. Italian and Japanese Embassies have no guards nor any Legation except possibly Portuguese, Rumanian and Belgian. Krylenko due at Stavka this evening, having left here yesterday in armored train. Will probably arrest Dukhonin. What do you think of treating Russia as China was treated? Have considered recommending that the President issue address to Russian people pledging our earnest efforts to furnish shoes and clothing and directing attention to progress we are making in improving transportation by which food scarcity would be relieved as there is abundance thereof in Russia if properly distributed. Please thank Crane for appreciated London message of the 16th received 22d after his sailing and say I hold him to his promise to visit Mrs. Francis whom hope Department keeping informed of my safety. FRANCIS File No. 861.00/11427 The Military Attaché in Russia (Judson) to the War Department [Copy of a letter sent to the Chief of the Russian General Staff, Petrograd.] [PETROGRAD,] 25th November, 1917. EXCELLENCY: There has been brought to my attention the following press communication from the United States: The American Government has announced that no shipments of military supplies and provisions to Russia will be effected until the situation of this country will be established. The government before permitting the export of American products wants to know into whose hands they will get in Russia. The exports to Russia will be resumed only after the formation of a steady government which can be recognized by the United States, but if the Bolsheviks will remain in power and will put through their program of making peace with Germany, the present embargo on exports to Russia will remain in force. The credits to the Provisional Russian Government reach to the present day $325,000,000, of which $191,000,000 have already been appropriated; the larger part of this money has already been spent for the purchase of supplies, which are ready |