File No. 861.00/2701
The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 15, 7.33 p.m.]
399. Had a thorough talk with the governor [sic] Chaikovski who says government decision to abdicate very near immovable. I endeavored to persuade him to continue until communication established with triumvirate directory at Samara so could inform them [Page 537] of contemplated movement and satisfy people that abandonment government part general plan. He expressed a desire to go to England and explain to the Allies the nature of movement for regeneration of Russia. He said movement non-partisan but combination occasionally [essentially?] patriotic. Russians humiliated by condition to which Bolsheviki had brought country and while considerable fraction of the organization favored constitutional monarchy such fraction willing first to aid movement for establishment of republic with the understanding that if majority favored monarchy they would be permitted to assume leadership.
Said association composed of 200 representative Russians who held secret meetings in Moscow over which he presided and which (representing three elements; namely, military, socialistic or conservative democrats, and limited monarchist) self-controlled, that each element selected three men, total nine, who did meet at Samara and chose of their number for triumvirate directory: Alexeev representing military and constitutional monarchy element, Avksentiev representing socialists, and Stepanov for the conservatives. Stepanov substituted for Kishkin who was arrested before escaping from Moscow and imprisoned there. Scheme contemplated new constituent assembly chosen by universal suffrage to meet and determine character of the government and select administrators. Communication severed with Samara which Soviet radios claim captured by Red Army but unconfirmed. Can you ascertain whether true? He said other governments like this organized in sections but success unknown.
Ministry will confer with Ambassadors to-morrow and will submit public statement explaining abdication, also orders for military governor who will represent and report to the triumvirate.
My objection to abdication is that it will strengthen central Soviet and give Allied occupancy the appearance of military invasion; peasants and laborers probably can be quieted by food distribution but otherwise would be irresponsible. Hear confidentially that ship left New York September 7, with 1,500 tons flour for Archangel; to whom consigned and what purpose?
President said Poole sending democratic Russian soldiers to the front which [while] keeping here those [opposed to?] sovereign government and expresses fear that another coup d’état being planned; that British and French had opened [recruiting] stations for Russians to which mobilization failure greatly due. My No. 363, August 13, 7 p.m.,1 recommended opening American recruiting station here and I renew recommendation if Russians abandon effort to raise army as many Russians would enlist with us who would not [Page 538] with the British or French. If however you could place fund at my disposal, say $100,000, for feeding and equipping Russian army could use same to great advantage; military attaché and other American officers visited by Russian officers who desire to enlist Russian army but sovereign government has no funds with which to feed and equip them except that furnished by British, who President charges are withholding funds and persuading Russians to join British army. Can you do this? Amount advanced would not be gift but loan and the moral effect would be telling.
Poole grants my demand for American representation in censorship and requests Russian-speaking American officer. Please hasten Prince’s coming.
Your No. 253, September 9, 6 p.m.,1 received 11th garbled but substance comprehended. Please keep me advised concerning Siberian movement.