File No. 861.00/1400
The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9.56 p.m.]
49. Martin, Murman, wires, 24th, French cruiser there and 200 troops in barracks, also armed marines and field pieces being landed from British cruiser. It is reported that Finnish White Guards being drilled by German officers and that points of Murman line are threatened and that railroad mined south of Murman and five war vessels in port to resist possible attack.
[Page 472]Cole wires, 27th, that public meeting will be held at Archangel to-morrow concerning food supplies which proposed attending unofficially; that evacuation commission rapidly shipping to interior from accumulation of supplies purchased from Allies on loans subsequently repudiated; that the local Soviet through British influence vainly objecting. Endeavoring through Robins and Summers to ascertain destination and explanation of such Soviet policy.