File No. 861.00/2463
The British Chargé (Barclay) to the Secretary of State
Memorandum
His Majesty’s Chargé d’Affaires presents his compliments to the Secretary of State and has the honour to inform him that, in view [Page 334] of the fact that Archangel was occupied by Allied forces under General Poole on August 2, and that the American and Japanese Governments had already made declarations respecting their support of the Czechs, His Majesty’s Government have considered it incumbent upon them to issue a statement, of which the following is the text:
Peoples of Russia! Your Allies have not forgotten you, we remember all the services which your heroic armies rendered us in the early years of the war, we are coming as friends to help you to save yourselves from dismemberment and destruction at the hands of Germany, who is trying to enslave your people and to use the great resources of your country for her own ends, but we wish solemnly to assure you that, while our troops are entering Russia to assist you in your struggle against Germany, we shall not retain one foot of your territory. We deplore the civil war that divides you, and the internal dissensions that facilitate the German plans of conquest, but we have no intention of imposing on Russia any political system. The destinies of Russia are in the hands of the Russian people; it is for them and for them alone to decide their form of government and to find a solution for their social problems.
Peoples of Russia! Your very existence as an independent nation is at stake, the liberties you have won in the revolution are threatened with extinction by the iron hand of Germany. Rally round the banner of freedom and independence that we who are still your Allies are raising in your midst, and secure the triumphs of those two great principles without which there can be no lasting peace or real liberty for the world.
Peoples of Russia! We want not only to stem German penetration but to bring economic relief to your ruined and suffering country. Some supplies we have sent, and there are more to follow. It is our wish to aid the development of the industrial and natural resources of your country, not to exploit them for ourselves; to restore the exchange of goods, to stimulate agriculture and to enable you to take your rightful place among the free nations of the world.
Peoples of Russia! Unite with us in defence of your liberties. Our one desire is to see Russia strong and free and then to retire and watch the Russian people work out its destinies in accordance with the freely expressed wishes of the people.
[Received August 9.]