File No. 763.72/7576b
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Russia ( Francis )
1825. Associated Press report received to-day gives interview with Kerensky. General impression after careful reading remains unfavorable. Report credits Kerensky with expressing sense of exhaustion of military capacity Russia and his surprise at absence of British fleet from Baltic when German fleet undertook recent operations there. Garbled version of report received earlier and printed one morning paper indicated Russia withdrawing from war and ready for separate peace.
Please ascertain reliability of report furnishing Department with copy original version as telegraphed by Associated Press also such other facts and comment as may assist Department.
It might be that this Government would find it difficult to justify financial support to another country associated with it in this war and which was nevertheless supine and inactive.