File No. 861.00/1895

The Consul at Moscow ( Poole) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

552. Was informed by Chicherin yesterday that on 21st German Ambassador read him note from Kuhlmann in which Germany promises respect sovereign rights of the present Russian Government, provided Russian Government itself protects these rights, especially with respect to Murman. Commissary understands this to mean that Germans will sustain Bolsheviki in what remains of Russia, if they will force British and French troops out of Murman Peninsula. At the same time German Ambassador informed Chicherin Soviet protest against sinking Russian boats by German submarines along Murman coast, see my No. 536, 18th,1 that under terms of Brest treaty Arctic Ocean remains in forbidden zone, and these operations may therefore be expected to continue.

Soviet authorities have as yet made no formal representations to British or French representatives here respecting withdrawal troops. Their policy plainly is to temporize and avoid definite issue, if possible. [Page 542] Nevertheless Halsey,1 who is replacing Livingston2 temporarily at Murmansk, reports pressure being brought to bear by central authorities Moscow on local Murman soviet to have them request withdrawal troops. Compliance considered unlikely. Finnish White Guard concentrated at four strategic points along Murman railway, and there are unconfirmed reports of dispatch of German troops into that region. But on the other hand, Finnish Red Guard has made tentative proposal to join Allies.

Halsey reports to-day three destroyers have been handed over by the Russians to the British and French to be refitted, and one is being refitted by the Russians themselves.

Poole
  1. Ante, p. 534.
  2. The Rev. Jesse Halsey, Y.M.C.A. secretary.
  3. Probably error for Lieut. Hugh S. Martin, Assistant Military Attaché.