861.00/6841: Telegram
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Davis) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 29—2:46 p.m.]
703. Department’s 413 [418], April 23. I am informed by the Foreign Office that the British Government is now considering the entire matter of the Russian refugees in the region of the Black Sea. Lord Curzon sent a wireless message to Tchitcherin some time ago making the proposal that amnesty be granted to the Russian Volunteer army and that further fighting in that region should be avoided. In his reply Tchitcherin stated that his Government would willingly consider such a plan if the Government of Great Britain would use its good offices to help the Hungarian Communists who now are interned in Austria and also to arrange peace between Bolshevik Russia and Poland. Tchitcherin also raised certain minor points. As Curzon had not secured any direct answer he telegraphed again to Moscow. In this telegram he stated that the British Fleet would take part in defending Crimea if the Soviet Government did not agree to conclude hostilities. This brought a hasty answer from the Reds denying any warlike intentions and expressing the wish to conform to the desires of His Majesty’s Government. No further developments have taken place.
[Page 598]The Foreign Office gave its views to Denikin just before Novorossiisk fell. Denikin was told that there was no use in his continuing the contest and that there should be some arrangement with the Reds. The previous intimation of the British that assistance could be given him no longer in fighting against the Bolshevik Government was renewed. A communication of like nature was made to Wrangel after Denikin resigned. No further action has been taken awaiting a move by Soviet Russia toward an armistice. It is the belief of the Foreign Office, however, that General Wrangel in the future will be willing to agree to any arrangement which may be made by the British.
I have reason to think that the matter of Allied relief for Kussian refugees may be again brought up by the Foreign Office. Already France has been sounded out and the French Government has promised 11,000,000 francs. It is the hope of the Foreign Office that it will secure the cooperation of our Government in this matter.