File No. 861.00/1887

The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram—Extract]1

185. … Latest information from Embassy’s men, Murman, dated 14th, states Finns attacking railway but repulsed by assistance of the British landed in greater number. Halsey,2 substitute for Martin who is now in Moscow but is returning Murman soon, reports local Soviet cooperating with French contingents there but Central Soviet endeavoring with the assistance of German agitators at Murman to prevent such cooperation. Arrival of Olympia Murman anxiously awaited. The capture of Murman by Germans would jeopardize Archangel connection with England and America if not wholly sever it, consequently urgently important to send assistance to Murman immediately.

Francis
  1. Printed in full in vol. i, p. 536.
  2. The Rev. Jesse Halsey, Y.M.C.A. secretary.