File No. 763.72/8732 The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] PETROGRAD, January 31, 1918, 6 p. m. [Received February 3, 4.11 a. m.] 2309. Your 2014. French Ambassador informs us that he received no instructions from his Government to protest against retaliatory measures against Rumanian subjects in Russia. As he of course participated in joint protest of Diplomatic Corps against arrest of Rumanian Minister and as the latter has now been expelled from Russia further action or protest appears to be useless. 1 1 FRANCIS For the further developments in relations between Russia and Rumania, see vol. II, chap. v. CHAPTER X THE SOVIET REPUBLIC Informal Relations with Soviet Authorities-Questions of Recognition and Intervention-Attitude toward Diplomatic Officers of the Provisional Government-The German Advance into Russia Filre No. 861.00/1341 The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] VOLOGDA, March 20, 1918. [Received March 21, 1.05 p. m.] 22. Your telegram March 15, 7 p. m., garbled almost unintelligible. Caldwell wires 18th Japanese occupation there unlikely just now. 3 Moser wires 16th that Moran who was not aware correspondence, reports from [Soviet officer,] military camp, Irkutsk, whom Moran must know well, that prisoners being armed, organized under German officers by order from Petrograd, which significant if true. I wired Huntington and Consul, Irkutsk, for report. Robins, Moscow, says Trotsky requests American military officer accompany Russian to Siberia to ascertain truth of the report; Robins sending Webster with Hicks, British officer. Trotsky requests five American officers as inspectors of army being organized for defense also requests railroad operating men and equipment. Riggs conferring with Trotsky on these subjects at Moscow to-day where are some British, French officers. Highly important we know for what such army be used. Reported German commission soon control Petrograd to insure compliance with peace treaty but Robins, with whom communicated over direct wire, says report baseless. Red Guard disarmed Russian regiment Petrograd yesterday formerly crack organization. FRANCIS Not printed in full, see ante p. 401; summarizes information received on conditions in other parts of Russia. 2 John K. Caldwell, Consul at Vladivostok. 'Hugh Moran, representative of the Y. M. C. A. în Siberia. 483 File No. 861.00/1339 The Chargé in China (Spencer) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] PEKING, March 20, 1918, noon. [Received 4.18 p. m.] Following from Ambassador Francis just received: Been functioning Vologda since leaving Petrograd February 26 remaining until otherwise advised. Making public declaration we do not recognize separate peace but still consider Russian people our ally against Germany. Chinese Minister and Japanese Ambassador left Vologda 4th of March for Harbin but left Irkutsk 13th for Chita and Vladivostok fearing shorter route impracticable. Please keep me advised especially concerning movements Japanese army and Chinese troops. I am only Allied Ambassador in Russia; Siamese Minister with me; also Brazilian, Japanese and Chinese Chargés d'Affaires. No other Allied diplomatic representative in Russia. I purpose going eastward if compelled to move but staying in regard to this [?]. And following from Harbin just received: Bailey arrived 18th, Wright should arrive 21st. Will await instructions here. Special train with thirty-three Americans, all well, arrived with Bailey. SPENCER File No. 861.00/1353 The Consul General at Moscow (Summers) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] Moscow, March 20, 1918, 2 p. m. [Received March 22, 9.55 a. m.] 280. German advance in south continues rapidly and immense supplies falling into their hands. There is practically no opposition. Nikolaevsk [omission] and many other important places captured. Germans evidently contemplate taking possession Don Basin and obtaining iron and coal supplies. As the result of ratification peace treaty, Bolshevik Party discredited. Military Mission and Robins, Red Cross, doing all possible bring about formation new army. I am assured, however, and firmly believe that few Russians will fight under present régime. Only a national army to defend the country will unite vast majority. SUMMERS File No. 861.00/1348 The Consul General at Moscow (Summers) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] Moscow, March 20, 1918, 7 p. m. 279. The Patriarch of Russia has refused to sanction the peace treaty and condemns same in strongest terms. American attitude will greatly influence peasants especially. Inform Mr. Crane. SUMMERS File No. 861.00/1357 The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] VOLOGDA, March 22, 1918, 7 p. m. [Received March 24, 9.48 a. m.] 27. This situation more complicated daily. Tredwell returning from Petrograd reported had seen Baron Fredericks functioning in passport control; may have been there, but Robins by direct wire to-day says this specifically denied by Chicherin and Trotsky and that French mission has accepted government offer and is making assignment of officers for inspection in new army. Riggs, Moscow, strongly recommends we do likewise, but Ruggles here undecided, as he is not thoroughly satisfied that new army is intended for German resistance. Moser wires 20th through Summers advising that Americans all leave Russia immediately and that Allied interest justifies [intervention]. Macgowan confirms Moran report concerning German officers saying that their uniforms only partially concealed by Russian overcoats. Robins earnestly supporting Commissaire government while Summers says it is not representative and doomed to failure and that the effort to create army will be futile. Robins, over direct wire, to-day submits following specific inquiry by request of Soviet: I asked you to inquire of the American Government if a commission for economic and business purposes sent by economic commis sion of Soviet government will be received by the United States. It is guaranteed by government that this commission will have no political purpose and will not engage in any propaganda work of any description en route or in America. Please get a report [reply] to this inquiry at the earliest possible date. 'Formerly Minister of the Imperial Court and Household, Aide-de-Camp to the Tsar, member of the Council of Empire, etc., etc. Despatch from Petrograd received to-day says Joffe has been announced People's Commissaire for Foreign Office [Affairs], the same person whose letter was quoted in my 2354.1 Present government in nominal control from Murman to the Pacific with no apparent organized or formidable opposition. Robins assures me government desires American friendship and aid in resistance to Germany but all its acts and expressions irreconcilable therewith. Friction with British representatives Archangel inconsistent with specific instructions given Soviet representatives Murman to cooperate with British authorities and French there, but this order given when Trotsky thought Germany rejected Lenin's acceptance peace terms because Russian commissioners at Brest ordered prompt special train before Russia informed of Germany's acceptance. Prominent government officials in speeches call our Government imperialistic and even Lenin and Trotsky do not conceal that new army being organized to aid world-wide social revolution and overturn all existing governments. President of Petrograd Soviet 2 in speech on [omission] ours most bourgeois of all republics and said President's telegram purely a move in political game of diplomacy made to prevent Germany from pilfering everything and leaving nothing for us and because we annoyed by Japanese aggressive policy and predicting that Trotsky will publish secret correspondence showing our dishonorable play in game of international imperialism. Boasted that reply to President's telegram was slap in face to President of bosses' Republic, "because no matter how difficult the position we will always say the truth to the working class." Purpose remaining Vologda. Unsolicitous about personal self or staff and when reach conclusion concerning sincerity of German resistance, shall make recommendation. FRANCIS File No. 861.00/1341 The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Russia (Francis) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, March 23, 1918, 6 p. m. 19. Your 22, March 20. Referring request for American officers Department has report suggesting that Soviet leaders who have asked for military assistance must be suspected of acting on orders from German staff with a view to diverting Entente efforts from western front. What are your views? 1Ante, p. 371. LANSING "Zinoviev had been made president of the Petrograd Soviet on Dec. 13, 1917. |