Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1918, Russia, Volume I

File No. 861.00/914

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

[Telegram]

Petrograd, January 6, 1918, 6 p.m.
[Received January 7, 6.52 p.m.]

2205. Constituent Assembly called for January 8 [18]. Third All-Russian Democratic Congress¹ called to meet Petrograd three days later and no secret that it will supervise work of Constituent Assembly to prevent enactment of reactionary laws and enforce passage of progressive measures such as land distribution. All-Russian Peasant Congress called for 25th.

Trotsky’s plan to have separate peace, if negotiated, approved by Constituent Assembly or if German propositions inacceptable to transfer to Constituent Assembly responsibility for its rejection or acceptance.

Francis

1. The III All-Russian Congress of Soviets opened Jan. 23, 1918.