Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1918, Russia, Volume I

File No. 861.00/2017

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

[Telegram]

Vologda, June 11 [2], 1918, 7 p.m.²
[Received June 14, 12.50 a.m.]

238. Still no advices from Siberian consuls. Czech opposition disturbs Soviet government which is sending available troops to disarm Czechs.

Postponed departure from [for] Petrograd until to-morrow.

Soviet government possibly will collapse suddenly and although opposition thereto is quite general it has no organization which unites all its many factions and this condition explains why Bolsheviks have so long survived. Approaching collapse attributed more to inherent weakness of Soviet government and to general dissatisfaction of people than to strength of any organized opposition thereto. My contemplated Petrograd and Moscow visits are mainly for the purpose of ascertaining what organized opposition exists and plans thereof.

Francis

2. The serial number and contents of this telegram indicate that it should bear the earlier date, although it may not have been sent when written.