Office of the Historian

861.00/5448a: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Minister in Denmark (Hapgood)

Washington, October 20, 1919—4 p.m.

1805. The American Government is informed by its representatives in Paris that General Denikin has telegraphed from the south of Russia that news reached him from Moscow to the effect that the Bolsheviki have arrested, in consequence of the advance of the anti-Bolshevik forces towards the north, a large number of persons, a number of whom have already been executed. General Denikin predicts on the basis of what occurred at Kiev and other cities during the last days of Bolshevik control that the same fate awaits the remaining hostages. He begs the Allied and Associated Governments to take any measures which may be possible to prevent a wholesale massacre.

[Page 774]

This Government has not had an opportunity to confirm the specific reports transmitted by General Denikin. The knowledge of other horrors proved to have been committed by the Bolsheviki and their followers inspires, however, grave fear that subsequent investigation may go far to establish their accuracy.

It is desired that you bring this to the attention of the Government of Denmark and inquire if it may not still have means of communicating with the Bolshevik leaders, through the Danish Red Cross or otherwise. In the affirmative case you will say that the Government of the United States being aware of the constant solicitude of the Government of Denmark to assist the Russian people in their difficulties, urges that in the present instance it do whatever may be possible to appeal to the Bolshevik leaders on the grounds of humanity with the hope of saving the lives of innocent people and preventing the occurrence of additional acts of terror and barbarity.

You may add for the confidential information of the Government of Denmark that in consulting with the representatives of General Denikin on the foregoing this Government has impressed upon them the necessity of the utmost caution on the part of General Denikin and his officers to prevent the perpetration of similar acts of barbarity by their followers.

Lansing