File No. 861.00/2348
The Consul at Moscow ( Poole) to the Secretary of State 1
[Received July 24, 9.35 p.m.]
708. Ambassador telegraphs that Allied chiefs of mission at Vologda have unanimously decided not to comply with Soviet demand that they come to Moscow (see my No. 707). He adds that British Ambassador has so advised General Poole at Murman and Admiral Kalman [Kemp] at Archangel [at same time] urging every day [immediate] sending Allied troops to Archangel.
Chicherin would not admit last night what motive really lies back of pretext of safety. He insists also that no intimation has yet been received of attitude of new German Minister for Foreign Affairs toward Soviet government. Chicherin is conciliatory in his attitude toward Allies for the moment, has declared he will endeavor to reform Lenin’s view. Trotsky, on the other hand, seems to have become violently anti-Ally and is reported to have proposed a declaration of war against us. Personal impression gained from almost daily contact with Chicherin not in accordance with conclusion drawn from impression as [omission] from the provinces, namely that the [Bolshevik] power is already moribund.
He also reported [omission] in Kiev in touch with the Germans.
- Sent via the Embassy in France (No. 4556); by wireless from Moscow to Paris.↩