760c.61/390
The Russian Ambassador (Bakhmeteff) to the Acting Secretary of State
My Dear Mr. Secretary: The main feature of the agreement, signed according to press reports by the representatives of the Polish Government and the Soviets at Riga, is a delimitation between Poland and what the treaty qualifies as an independent Ukraine and White Russia, embodying a scheme which for the last year has been transpiring as the political program of the present Polish Government. It comprises direct aggrandizement by annexation to Poland of Russian territory and the creation, at the expense of Russia, of a cordon of independent states. The act of international injustice, which has just been completed at Riga, both in spirit and substance is closely akin to the treaty of Brest-Litovsk.
From the formal point of view the pact concluded at Riga has no validity. The Soviet Government is not recognized by any civilized nation and has no authority to act in the name of the Russian people nor to dispose of Russian territory. Moreso, the Riga arrangement contradicts the Versailles treaty, clause 87 of which specifies that, “the boundaries of Poland, not laid down in the present treaty, will be subsequently determined by the principal Allied and Associated Powers”.
Formal considerations are, however, of lesser importance in comparison with the consequences which the arrangement, if given any element of permanency, will inevitably carry for the future destinies of Europe.
[Page 407]An ethnographic delimitation has been consistently maintained by the great democratic powers as the only right solution of the Russo-Polish problem. The Russian liberals and democrats also have considered the ethnic basis as the only way to eliminate irredentism and introduce stability into the future relations be[tween] Russia and Poland.
Restored Russia will never approve of a treaty of dismemberment forcibly imposed in times of adversity; nor will the peasant population, predominantly Orthodox, of the western provinces of Russia acquiesce to the domination of Polish Catholic landlordism. The Riga treaty is thus an act pregnant with disturbance and conflict; a menace to future world peace. It is in particular a flagrant violation of the principles, announced by the United States as guiding its policy toward Russia.
In the spirit of justice and in conformity with their previous decisions, the great democratic powers could adopt no other attitude towards the Riga treaty except that of decided refusal to any international assent to the agreement. An armistice and an adjustment for the purpose of suspending hostilities can be agreed and entered upon between belligerent parties. Owing to the predatory character of the Bolsheviki certain strategic positions might be temporarily held. But no elements of permanent settlement can evolve from such arrangements; strategic expedience, moreover, should be clearly delimited from political aims and attainments.
In order that there may be no doubt in the minds of the Russian people as to the circumstances surrounding the Riga agreement, it is of vital importance that the democratic powers make clear their attitude to the events, which have taken place, and thereby eliminate any ground for suspicion of their approval, even if tacit, of the treaty concluded.
Viewing the seriousness of the situation I confidently hope that the Government of the United States, who has evidenced always its noble and friendly attitude toward the Russian people, will give favorable consideration to the problem arisen.
I avail myself [etc.]