File No. 861.00/2646
The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 8, 9.30 p.m.]
386. After reviewing with General Poole Italian, American soldiers at 10, told me that revolution had taken place during the night and that President and six Ministers of new government been put upon steamer at 2 o’clock and now en route to Solovetski Monastery 30 hours distant where ministers be confined. When asked if movement resisted Poole replied no, as government had no forces for resistance. It appears that Captain Chaplin, commander Russian soldiers and as such reporting to Poole, also controls municipal militia or police, had ordered ministry arrested and deported. I asked Poole if he knew such action contemplated. Reply was that he heard rumors thereof and wrote note to Chaplin advising against it. This conversation on steps of government building where Poole and I received salute of American troops. Seeing Chaplin I beckoned to him and demanded explanation. Chaplin said he had driven out the Bolsheviki and had permitted new government installation but administration composed of eight ministers including one Archangel citizen had shown itself inefficient by permitting Bolshevik propaganda and given permission for public meetings in opposition to expressed will of Poole. The latter had said Chaplin intended issuing proclamation immediately announcing government deposed and appointing Startsev manager of civil affairs of northern region.
Leaving Chaplin I joined Poole who was talking with Stewart and other American officers and told Poole to permit no proclamation from Chaplin until submitting same to Allied chiefs whom I requested to assemble my apartment at 12 o’clock. They came with Poole who had secured copies of two proclamations signed by Chaplin. Diplomatic conference consisted French, Italian, [Page 522] British, American chiefs. I opened conference by stating Chaplin’s action was outrageous usurpation of power and insult to diplomatic chiefs; no disagreement. When this statement being expressed, I proposed that Poole be requested to prevent Chaplin and Startsev from functioning and prohibit circulation of the proclamation. Both propositions met approval and Poole agreed to execute same.
Meantime representatives of the cooperatives were awaiting audience with me in an outer room having stated to Cole whose attendance [sic] I saw that news of coup d’état was rapidly gaining circulation and was promoting great excitement as suspected of being monarchist movement and cooperatives desired to know whether sanction from London or Paris or Washington. I proposed that cooperatives be shown in but my colleagues preferred that I go and talk with them taking Cole to interpret. I left conference and think convinced cooperatives that Allies were not a party to coup d’état. This consumed half an hour. Returning to conference I asked Poole opinion of arresting Chaplin and found him very much opposed thereto as thought Chaplin sole reliance to organize Russian army as Chaplin only Russian believing Russians fighting. Cooperatives had said that coup d’état was monarchical and if something was not done to convince the people especially those [of sawmill] villages that Allies not fostering movement bloody civil war might ensue. Poole objecting to Chaplin arrest, it was agreed that ministers should be brought back to Archangel and Poole, consenting thereto, as [said] would catch steamer by wireless if possible, if not would send a destroyer. Thereupon conference adjourned till 5 p.m. when Chaplin and Startsev requested to be present.
Later nine representatives of Zemstvos called and presented protest against overthrow of the new government saying as cooperatives had affirmed that if anything done to perpetuate or support Chaplin act, life of the district would immediately cease and sanguinary strife would follow. I convinced cooperatives and Zemstvos that Allied diplomats disapproved coup d’état but cooperatives, while accepting my statement that my colleagues knew nothing of Chaplin plans, expressed themselves as suspicious of British and French military officers and evidently doubted Poole’s sincerity.
Colonel Stewart commanding American troops called immediately upon arrival September 4 but mention had no message the particulars [sic] and said his only orders were to report to Poole. I have been vainly trying to see him since to explain situation lest he become inoculated by British and French officers who have lost faith in Russians. If Department approves I would appreciate War Department’s instructing ranking American officer in Russia to keep close touch with me. More later.
[Page 523]Your telegrams as reported in my No. 373, August 30, 7 p.m.,1 still missing also 243, 4, and 5. Please repeat those pertaining to policy. Your 246, September 4, 4 p.m.,1 received to-day via London. Am utilizing Coolidge.