File No. 861.00/1933
The Minister in Switzerland ( Stovall) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 3, 3.50 a.m.]
3535. On May 30 the head of the Swiss Political Department informed the Russian Charge d’Affaires M. Onou that the Swiss Government had decided to sequester the archives of the Russian Legation and asked him to accompany two Swiss police officers to his Legation for this purpose. This Onou indignantly refused to do, pointing out that the Federal Government had up to the present time consulted him about routine matters in Russia and inserted his name on most recent advices Swiss diplomatic list. Being informed however that Swiss Government had determined upon sequestration of archives, he requested guarantees that they should not be turned over to any other alleged Legation. Such guarantees the Swiss authorities refused to give and that evening the Swiss police proceeded to seal up the archives and Legation premises. Onou claims that decision of Swiss Government was made under German pressure and under recent secret agreement between Germany and Bolsheviki according to which Russians agreed to disarm Black Sea Fleet under the condition that Germany would bring about their recognition in neutral countries.
Bolshevik representatives who recently arrived in Berne had called upon Russian Chargé d’Affaires on May 20 demanding that he turn over to them archives and Legation premises which he emphatically refused to do and summoned police. Upon refusal of Bolshevik visit he inquired attitude Swiss Government. He was informed that Government intended to call Legation “vacant “upon next diplomatic list but no intimation was given to him of the action which was taken against Legation on May 30 until evening of day upon which archives were actually sealed.
Up to the present time members of Federal Council have informed Allied Ministers that they did not propose to recognize Bolshevik [Page 549] Legation. While they have not given us this attitude, refusal of guarantees relative to future disposition of archives would appear to indicate the possibility of future recognition of Bolsheviki.
Allied Legations here have telegraphed these facts to their governments asking for instructions. Russian Chargé d’Affaires has expressed wish that archives be put into hands of Allies for safe-keeping. Confidentially, it is stated that important archives were put in place of safety three months ago. Swiss press comments that Federal Government considering that in view of possible dispute between Russian representatives and Bolshevik delegates it was Government’s duty to protect archives which would presumably be retained under Swiss seal until formal Swiss recognition of a new Russian government.
Yesterday afternoon Bolshevik delegation left their official cards at my private residence. I am disposed to return my private unofficial cards but would appreciate instructions in this respect desirably for the case that they should request a personal interview.
Onou was Russian Chargé d’Affaires until the fall of the Kerensky [ministry] and is a man with whom I have always had most pleasant relations.