File No. 763.72119/969

The Ambassador in Russia ( Francis) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

2034. Your 1864, November 24, 7 [4] p.m., received to-day. Chiefs of Allied military missions and military attachés were called to the General Staff 3 p.m. to-day and given following communication in French and Russian from Trotsky. Reply from military attaches was that communication would be handed to their respective Ambassadors. Following translation made by Military Mission:

1. As evidenced by all our steps, we are striving for general and not separate armistice. To a separate armistice we may be forced by our allies if they will close their eyes before the facts.

2. We are ready at any moment with any representatives of the Allies (translator thinks this means any of the Allies) to conduct negotiations for immediate accomplishment of an armistice.

We did not demand a parliamentary “recognition.” We are recognized by the people.

We want business negotiations. We reserve the right to publish protocols for the information of all.

3. That negative attitude with which our peace initiative is being met from the side of several of the Allied Governments, cannot in the slightest change the course of our policy.

The Allies should answer: are they willing to begin negotiations for immediate armistice aiming at the conclusion of peace and democratic principles? Are they agreeable to support our initiative in this direction? Do they demand other measures? What kind?

As long as Allied Governments answer with bare “no recognition” of us and our initiative we will follow our own course appealing to the peoples after the governments. Should the results of the appeal bring separate peace, which we do not want, responsibility will fall completely upon the Allied Governments. Trotsky.

This sent by military attaché to Embassy 7 p.m.; suppose British Ambassador will convene Allied representatives on the subject as it was understood at meeting of November 211 that no separate action looking to recognition would be taken.

Constituent Assembly elections close here to-night. Reported Bolsheviki will not have majority from Petrograd but I doubt it. As Moscow elections postponed week and impossible for many delegates to arrive, all action probably be postponed unless Bolsheviki have majority of those appearing.

Francis
  1. See ante, p. 245.