Office of the Historian

Paris Peace Conference 861.00/1039

The Russian Delegation in Paris to the President of the Paris Peace Conference (Clemenceau)65

Paris, September 23, 1919.

On May 26th last, the Allied and Associated Powers notified their intention of lending their help to Admiral Koltchak to enable his Government to establish itself as Government of all Russia. A fortnight later they again confirmed that intention, stating that the assurances given by Admiral Koltchak in his reply to their communication were recognized as satisfactory.

National Russia received these declarations with the greatest satisfaction; in them they saw the hope of prompt and efficacious help from the Allies.

In the conception of those awaiting this help with great impatience, it would be of a moral and material order and would admit in the first place the official recognition of the Omsk Provisional Government. Failing this recognition, Russia, struggling under painful conditions for her regeneration, is greatly hindered from using her resources. On the other hand, the Allies themselves cannot put forth all the means at their disposal to assure them keeping their promise.

However three months have elapsed without bringing the hoped-for recognition. In the meantime different groups fighting in Russia for the common cause are still closer united. Since General Denikin’s clear and explicit declaration recognizing Admiral Koltchak’s Supreme Power over all Russia, all the local Governments are at one with Omsk and the success of each is due to the energies of all of them.

The official recognition of Admiral Koltchak’s Government should be no longer postponed, the least delay causing serious prejudice to the regeneration of Russia.

Consequently the undersigned feel it their duty once more to draw the attention of the Allied and Associate Powers to the importance [Page 432] of giving, without further delay, a manifest proof of their good will towards new Russia by officially recognizing Admiral Koltchak’s Government.

  • Prince Lvoff
  • Sazonow
  • N. W. Tchaikovsky
  • Maklakoff
  • B. Savinkoff
  1. Copy (in English) received by the Commission to Negotiate Peace, Sept. 23.↩