File No. 861.00/2683
The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 13, 7 a.m.]
390. After second conference of four hours, supreme government Ministers reinstated and they are, issuing proclamations so announcing and calling off strikes which were general. They demanded court-martial to try Chaplin and his associates but Ambassadors advised against. This point unsettled. I opposed court-martial because fear would result in revealing that some British and French officers were behind Chaplin, who I think guilty of a crime. Government consent to three additional portfolios and transfers of present ministers to other departments but are firm in opposition to dismissal of any minister. Present Minister of War inexperienced and unable to cooperate with Allied military. Several times to-day bloodshed seemed imminent but was fortunately avoided.