File No. 861.00/1195
The Ambassador in Russia ( Francis) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 4, 1.25 a.m.]
1416 [2416?]. Germans continue approaching. Soviet planning defensive. Leaving to-night Siberian Railway with staff, Consul, Red Cross, Japanese, Chinese, Siamese, Brazilian missions. Planning to await developments Vologda possibly return here, probably working eastward. Have advised consuls Harbin, Vladivostok and missions Peking, Tokyo requesting preparations to send force if requested as it is reported that 20,000 armed German prisoners are at Irkutsk. Japanese Ambassador unperturbed, says that he has 30,000 troops in Manchuria, Chinese 10,000 Harbin.
Trotsky again resigned, Germans disinclined to sign peace treaty with Soviet without ratification as would be compelled to sustain such government. Reported demanded ratification by Constituent Assembly or survivors of four national Dumas. Our problem is establishing such relations with the new government as would prevent its being pro-German.
British, French, Italian, Belgian, Portuguese missions going to Helsingfors or Murmansk to-morrow.