File No. 763.72119/573
The Ambassador in Russia ( Francis ) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 23, 6 a.m.]
1215. Answering your 1339, 19th,1 for publication if approve. Am pained and provoked to hear there is fear and suspicion in America of Russia’s making separate peace. There is no more probability thereof than of our doing so. The charge that the Imperial Administration was planning separate peace with Germany caused its overthrow and hastened the consummation of an amazing revolution which was brief and bloodless and the most stupendous achievement for human rights in records of governments. That revolution will expedite the defeat of Germany and the establishment of a general peace permanent and universal because founded on justice and freedom. That revolution and our entering the war, so nearly contemporaneous as they were, mark a new era in the history of society. Our prompt recognition of the new Government, being the first, came at a most critical juncture and gave encouragement and help to the Council of Ministers and their supporters. President Wilson’s thrilling allusion to the revolution in his address to the extraordinary Congress was inspired and made a deep and lasting impression on the Russian people. The Embassy has translated it and his other utterances on the subject into Russian and is giving them the broadest circulation in a pamphlet for free distribution. Want of confidence in Russia’s sincerity in this conflict is unreasonable, illogical, and unjust. No people so circumstanced have ever made greater sacrifices for freedom than these and they fully realize that a separate peace would jeopardize or lose all they have gained. Our form of government is their model; our taking part in the contest has infused into them a confident spirit and imbued them with a firm determination. They ask for no soldiers but have an army unequaled in numbers, unexcelled in courage, and led by commanders of ability and patriotism. They have resources inestimable and unapproachable. All they require is munitions and railroad equipment and credit. All those we can furnish and I earnestly hope we shall do so. If our people are [Page 37] incensed as they are and should be at the intrigue and underhanded machinations of Germany in their midst and on their borders Russians have fourfold cause for like resentment and will make any sacrifice rather than conclude a separate peace. And this is my decided opinion based on facts cabled you to which respectfully refer.