File No. 861.00/2777
The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 24, 2.45 a.m.]
420. Your telegrams Nos. 2651 and 267 received to-day. Two officers of Omsk government arrived here to-day; left Ekaterinburg August 13; report all-Russian government Samara not yet established, consequently sovereign government here not now abdicating. I insisted always government continue functioning until abdication and appointment approved by Samara government, thereby differing with colleagues who, while not so admitting, were pleased by abdication. Governor General appointed issued first order to-day which unobjectionable except in branding coup d’état as a crime of adventurers. While I think kidnaping was crime and perpetrator deserved punishment, I believe Governor General indiscreet when calling promoters adventurers as they may be sincere patriots, but nevertheless perpetrated crime.
Likewise Lindley advocates Allied Ambassadors’ promulgating statement that proclamation issued by two Ministers stating Grand Duke Michael in Archangel did so from interested motives solely. While I object to impugning their sincerity, but willing to sign, stated they were mistaken. A number of Russian officers organized by Chaplin have agreed to disobey and ignore Samarin, assistant governor general. Chaikovski tells Allied chiefs that a Russian officer Filinenko so persuaded officers, and is planning another conspiracy and should be banished from Archangel. I agree, but French Ambassador argued that Filinenko entitled to right of free speech while properly denied same to strikers and socialistic journals criticizing Poole. I proposed that neither sovereign government nor Poole nor Governor General issue proclamation or order without [Page 544] approval of Allied Ambassadors. This was not adopted but seems only solution of situation.
Your 259, September 14, 1 p.m.1 As telegraphic communication Samara [not?] established, please ask American Consul there what status of all-Russian regeneration movement.
Can Department advise me whether a state of war exists between the United States and Bolshevik government?