File No. 861.00/3018
The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State
No. 1120
Vologda, July 22,
1918.
[Received October
17.]
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith
copies of telegrams exchanged between the Embassy and the Consul at
Archangel regarding an order issued by the representative of the
Council of People’s Commissars, Kedrov, while
at Archangel, concerning the prohibition of the entrance of foreign
warships into the port of Archangel.
Kedrov, who is one of the most violent and
unscrupulous members of the Bolshevik Party, was sent to Archangel
for the purpose of strengthening the power of the local Soviet
there, which, prior to his arrival, had been showing signs of
pro-Ally sentiment, and in connection with which mission he issued
the order contained in Mr. Cole’s telegram to the Embassy No. 103 of June 23,
1918 (enclosure No. 1.)2
[Page 503]
Upon receipt of this telegram I called a conference of my colleagues,
at which a reply was agreed upon, the text of which is embodied in
my telegram No. 78 of June 26, 1918, to Mr. Cole (enclosure No. 2.)1 The Department will note that it is
specifically stated in my telegram that this statement should not be
given out as coming from the Ambassadors, but as an expression from
the Consuls at Archangel. This instruction was carried out as given
and the announcement was made as coming from the Consuls themselves.
I deemed it expedient to handle the matter in this way rather than
have Mr. Cole take up the
question direct with the local Archangel civil authorities, as
suggested in his telegram No. 105 of June 24 (enclosure No. 3).2
Shortly after the publication of this Allied statement,
Kedrov left Archangel returning to Moscow
by way of Vologda. During his short stay in Vologda he spent his
time in exhorting the local Soviet against the Allies and removed
from office the mayor and assistant mayor, both of whom having been
elected prior to the Bolshevik revolution of November last were not
in sympathy with the Soviet government or methods.
Kedrov passed through Vologda two days ago, en route to Archangel, apparently to endeavor
once more to hearten the local Soviet, which is again showing signs
of weakening under pressure of pro-Ally sentiment in the surrounding
districts.
I am informed by my Italian colleague that disturbances have recently
broken out in the vicinity of Archangel, during which members of
local Bolshevik organizations have been killed, and apparently
Kedrov’s mission is an attempt to stem what
would appear to be a general tide of pro-Ally sentiment following
the distribution of food from the two British ships mentioned in my
No. 121 of April 24, 1918.3
I have [etc.]
[Enclosure—Telegram]
The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Consul at
Archangel (Cole)
Vologda, June 26, 1918, 11
p.m.
78. French Ambassador and I agree that letters of Commissaires
and Executive Committee should be given newspapers and have
concurred in following statement which British Consulate here
also wiring to British Consul, Archangel, with discretionary
instructions:
The communications received by the American, British and
French Consuls at Archangel concerning war vessels are
somewhat surprising when viewed
[Page 504]
vis-á-vis with the efforts of
those countries to send supplies to remedy the scarcity
of food in the northern provinces as well as to give
sustenance to Russian war prisoners who are being
returned from the Central Empires in emaciated condition
and to minister to the necessities of Russian children.
The American Red Cross has distributed thousands of cans
of condensed milk and has more supplies en route. The Young Men’s
Christian Association which recently lost 150 tons of
supplies by the wreck of the steamship Wrexham has additional food and medicines en route and is constantly
shipping supplies to Russia. We know that the American
Ambassador has cabled to America to send to Archangel
immediately 10,000 tons of flour within thirty days and
10,000 additional within thirty days thereafter and is
attempting to have agricultural implements shipped and
other commodities needed by Russia. We are also aware
that England and France would ship food or certainly
medical supplies and manufactured goods if the safe
arrival thereof could be assured. The war vessels of the
Allied powers are the only protection such shipments can
have from German submarines; consequently our surprise
at the issuance of this order by the Soviet
authorities.
Furthermore the British and French Governments shipped to
Archangel when they were Allies of Russia’s Government
and before the Brest treaty great quantities of
munitions and other supplies which those governments
have been endeavoring to have returned to the armies
which need them especially, since the Soviet government
has attempted to repudiate the obligations therefor. The
position of those governments is that they do not
relinquish their claims on these supplies
notwithstanding the strenuous efforts being made for
their evacuation from Archangel. They claim the right to
reserve liberty of action to take such measures as
appear to them conformable to their
interests.
The others of the Allies who have not received the preceding
document, notably, Italy and Japan, we are confident consider
themselves as jointly bound and will act in accord with America,
France and Great Britain.
This should not be given as statement of ambassadors but as
expression from consuls although not signed; probably interview
from dean of these consuls.
Show British Consul who may concur possibly without consulting
Lockhart to whom
copy sent by British Consulate here.
