763.72/3787a

The Secretary of State to President Wilson

My Dear Mr. President: We have not, as you know, congratulated the Russian Government or people upon the establishment of democratic institutions in that country; merely recognizing the Government as the one with which we desired intercourse.

[Page 325]

I thought, therefore, that it would be worth while, immediately after the declaration of a state of war, to send a telegram to Francis to be communicated to the Russian Government, going a little further than we did in the telegram of recognition.13 I submit for your consideration a draft of such a telegram but in doing so I realize that it can be very materially improved in language.

I hope, if you approve of the plan, you will make the corrections which you desire.14

Faithfully yours,

Robert Lansing
  1. Telegram No. 1271, Mar. 20, 1917, to the Ambassador in Russia, Foreign Relations, 1918, Russia, vol. i, p. 12.
  2. On April 6 President Wilson replied: “I have suggested a verbal change here and there in this message, but of course approve it very heartily. Faithfully Yours, W. W.” (File No. 763.72/3788½.) For the telegram as sent, see ibid., p. 20.