File No. 861.00/1049
The Ambassador in France ( Sharp) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 4, 3 a.m.]
3138. My 3092, January 24,2 and 3100, January 26.3 On account of the importance of the intelligence conveyed in these two telegrams, coming to the Foreign Office from Jassy by wireless, I have thought that an account of a conversation which I have had with my Russian colleague, Mr. Maklakov, apropos thereto might be interesting to the Department. On asking him what he thought as to the problems in Russia, of the Germans’ being able to establish order in Ukraine if called upon to do so, he said that it would not be difficult.
In this connection it may be recalled by the Department that Mr. Maklakov had foreseen somewhat the present situation as long ago as November, when I quoted him in my No. 2801 of November 26, 4 p.m.,4 where he pointed out the danger which, following a period of anarchy and hunger, would leave an opening for the insidious work of Germany to be given more or less [sic], after it had hand in Russian affairs on the plea of restoring order.
The Ambassador is now strongly of the opinion that neither Germany nor Austria is able to employ the necessary force to maintain order there, that either a Maximalist or Ukraine power that would come to terms with Germany to-day would under present chaotic conditions be likely to be overthrown to-morrow. He said that contrary to the opinion of some, Germany would profit very much more by having order quickly restored in Russia than the continuation of [Page 367] revolutionary disorders with which she could not satisfactorily cope and on account of which she could not rely upon getting a supply of grain, minerals and oil.
As to the [intervention] threatened by armed forces of the Allied powers and particularly Japan, he believed such a course would have a disastrous effect not only on his own country but upon the cause of the Allies. He said that he had a personal acquaintance with Mr. Potanin, president of the newly constituted government of Siberia at its capital of Omsk, that he knew by personal knowledge that Siberia was to-day decidedly anti-Maximalist. He believed further that the participation of Japan in any movement to restore order or to interfere in Russian affairs would arouse a unitedly hostile sentiment against the Allied powers as such an act would be looked upon with grave suspicion.
During the conversation Mr. Maklakov told me of a protest which he had made to Mr. Pichon, Minister for Foreign Affairs, against the action of the French Government in recognizing the independence of Finland which he said was against the truest interest of Russia. Admitting that the old Russian regime had not treated Finland with liberality or even justice, yet Finland should be given (a minimum?) autonomy which would not be incompatible with a general Russian sovereignty; that the creation of Finland into a separate and completely independent power would shut Russia off from her northern seaports and very greatly hamper her freedom of traffic via Archangel. He believes that after the war all of Russia would again unite and that the institution of separate and independent provinces now being attempted would pass away before the general desire and pride in the Russian solidarity of territory and power. Despite the anomalous position of Mr. Maklakov here as one who has been refused recognition of the Maximalist government and without form of recognition [from] the French Government he is nevertheless looked upon as being very able and well informed as to the conditions in his country. He impresses me as a big man, levelheaded and full of unselfish patriotic devotion.