File No. 763.72119/1006
The Ambassador in Russia ( Francis) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 11, 4.19 a.m.]
2067. No developments noteworthy from armistice conference to-day. At the meeting of Allied chiefs cables to British and French Ambassadors submitted but no definite instructions therein. Allied missions still not recognizing Soviet government; this agreement unanimous and emphatic.
French Ambassador read a telegram from Vladivostok dated 4th saying 1,500 Bolshevik soldiers arrived there from Petrograd on 3d, object unknown. Japanese Ambassador said that he thought American warship at Vladivostok but if so neither naval attaché nor I aware thereof.1 British Ambassador stated had heard of threats of Trotsky to place him under arrest.
My judgment is to await meeting and action of Constituent Assembly. Rumor is that Bolsheviki will postpone convening. The reason is that at [all] returns indicate they will not have majority but probably plurality. Cruiser Aurora still here and said to be awaiting meeting of Assembly to open fire thereon if dislikes its complexion.
Suggested at conference to-day inevitably tension might become so great as to compel Allied missions to leave Russia.
- The Ambassador was informed, by telegram No. 1895, Dec. 12, that the U. S. S. Brooklyn had been at Vladivostok since Nov. 25.↩