File No. 861.00/2447
The Ambassador in Great Britain ( Page) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 10, 11.22 a.m.]
941. Your 8459, June 27, 2 p.m.1 In the temporary absence of the Ambassador Mr. Kerensky called on the Counselor of Embassy this morning and expressed a strong desire to go to United States with the object of explaining to the President and chief governmental authorities his ideas as to the present situation in Russia. He asserted with emphasis his feeling that he and the people of Russia had always regarded the United States as occupying a special position with respect to Russia and that he felt that the ideas for which his Provisional Government stood which he claimed were those of the mass of the Russian people were more sympathetically regarded by the United States than by any of the other nations now warring against the Central powers. He made the very broad claim that he represented no party or faction in Russia but that he stood for the whole Russian people and spoke for them. He intimated that the object of his desired visit to the United States was to come into personal contact with persons in authority and that if he can not do so he would prefer not to go there. He claimed that he knew Russia and Russian conditions better than any one else and that he alone could give the information which he felt the United States Government wished to have. He stated that he had not “emigrated” from Russia, that his work was there and that he intended to return there as soon as possible and that for this reason he begged that this request be laid before the Government of the [Page 579] United States by telegraph. He added that he has satisfactorily finished a similar mission in France and that he had been able to accomplish most of what he desired in England.
Mr. Laughlin explained in reply that he did not possess the authority either to grant Mr. Kerensky’s request or even to give him an answer but that he would lay the matter before the Secretary of State in Washington and ask for instructions. Mr. Laughlin further explained the real welfare of Russia and a settlement of her difficulties in a manner acceptable to the mass of the Russian people formed the constant preoccupation of the President and that Mr. Kerensky should take as one evidence [of] that the manner in which Mr. Bakhmeteff, the Ambassador appointed under his Provisional Government, was regarded and treated in Washington and that whatever wishes the American Government might express in regard to his suggested visit should be interpreted in the light of the profound good will felt by the United States for the welfare of the Russian people.
The British Government have not yet been consulted either by the Embassy or by Mr. Kerensky regarding his proposed visit to the United States.
The foregoing is respectfully submitted with a request for instructions.