Office of the Historian

File No. 861.00/358

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

[Telegram]
Petrograd, May 13, 1917, 10 p.m.
[Received May 15, 7 a.m.]

1286. Guchkov, Minister of War, resigned ostensibly on account of illness, but really because objected to workmen’s committee demanding right to approve his orders. No successor yet appointed. [Page 53] Excellent man, resignation deplorable. Not yet public. Learned this from Ministers who attended [dinner] I gave to-night to commission going to America. Military commander Petrograd district. Kornilov, resigned yesterday for same reason. Quiet prevails but by common consent.

Francis