File No. 861.00/848
The Secretary of State to the Consul at Tiflis (Smith)
Referring your telegram December 19, 10 p.m. Desirable that you should confer closely with British and French representatives [Page 601] and inquire for your information instructions they have received from their Governments. Only instructions for you for present are to keep us informed.
To save time in keeping our London and Paris Embassies informed of developments this situation, you are instructed to repeat to the American Embassy, London, “for Crosby,” the reports you make to the Department.
Referring last sentence your telegram, December 19, Department telegraphed you on December 15, which is repeated to you as follows:
Your telegrams December 4, 9 p.m., and subsequent dates including December 13, 6 p.m., received. Department appreciates thorough reports on situation, is in touch with Allies and hopes to give you definite instructions shortly on whole subject. Meanwhile do not commit this Government. No country either belligerent or neutral has recognized Bolshevik government, Petrograd.
In this connection this Government does not wish to participate in any control of expenditures.