File No. 861.00/2414
The Ambassador in Russia ( Francis) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 5, 6.37 a.m.]
350. Your 104, 31st, to Consul, Moscow, through Paris delivered me here last midnight. Don’t know what route it came as communication with Moscow, Vologda, Petrograd all severed. Contents surprising as thought Poole kept Department advised by wireless.
Midnight, July 10, I received telegram from Chicherin advising Diplomatic Corps come Moscow as unsafe remain Vologda and telegram so framed that construed by my colleagues as command; telegram stated Radek commissioned to go Vologda arrange removal Diplomatic Corps to Moscow. As dean, I framed reply to telegram declining invitation because Germans likely occupy Moscow and had [Page 626] no fear remaining Vologda; colleagues approved reply but suggested injecting protest against forced removal, whereupon I added another paragraph to reply stating if Chicherin telegram meant forced removal to Moscow, it was offensive, and we would not comply therewith. This sent before Radek arrived in hope of preventing his coming, but Radek arrived 12th and had two protracted conferences with me in which I informed him Diplomatic Corps refused going Moscow because advised that German troops there to guard Embassy and Consulate with consent of Soviet and furthermore had confidence in Vologda people who had treated us kindly. Radek thereupon demanded in writing statement from Allied diplomats that they absolved Soviet government from all responsibility for their safety. I replied would be time enough to give such statement when we knew what Germany demanded in connection with Mirbach assassination which German press and leaders had charged was inspired and executed under direction Allies. Radek expressed regret at being compelled to make following statement especially to me:
I shall station guards around the chanceries and residences of all the Ambassadors and no one will be permitted to enter except with approval of Soviet government.
This occurred 8 p.m., 12th. Guards not sent same night, as Radek specifically stated they would be, but came following morning with notice from “Extraordinary Revolutionary Staff” that would admit no entrance unless authorized by staff or Embassy. Guard remained at Embassy until our departure from Vologda 1 a.m., July 25. Meanwhile, I, as dean, exchanged several telegrams with Chicherin and received two letters from Radek. In these messages I protested against guards as placing us under espionage if not making us prisoners. Had given to press before Radek arrived, Chicherin’s first telegram to me and my reply thereto which were published in Vologda and in Petrograd papers except Soviet organs but not published in Moscow. Revolutionary Staff sent written order to Vologda papers prohibiting publication of statement or communications from Allied missions before being censored. Corps thereupon had 50,000 pamphlets printed in Russian giving correspondence fully and my comments thereon, which we thought closed the incident. Only few copies this pamphlet obtainable, as Revolutionary Staff prohibited its distribution.
Morning 23d, I received telegram from Chicherin entreating Diplomatic Corps to leave Vologda as unsafe to remain and “to-morrow can be too late.” Telegram again invited corps to Moscow and stated government had had difficulties which were now satisfactorily settled; later learned that difficulties mentioned were demands from Germany [Page 627] that they be permitted to send German troops or arm war prisoners to guard German Embassy and Consulate. Radek had assured me that Germany had told Soviet ambassador, Berlin would make no demand on Soviet government in relation Mirbach assassination other than punishment of murderers. On receipt of Chicherin’s alarming telegram, we decided to leave Vologda and I so informed Chicherin. Americans and French had retained special trains on track Vologda since arrival there and immediately moved records and baggage to these trains and ordered locomotives therefor, planning go Archangel, having understood that locomotives would be furnished when requested, trains having been continuously occupied by Embassy attaché. Railroad replied had orders furnish no locomotives except on Chicherin’s order, and when Chicherin, advised of application, wired me inquiring why wished go Archangel, I replied application made for entire Diplomatic Corps which acting in concert and perfect harmony and desired go Archangel because advised by his alarming telegram to leave Vologda and unwilling go to Moscow. Chicherin replied going Archangel meant leaving Russia and asked whether such our intention. I replied disclaiming any intention of quitting Russia unless forced and then my absence would be temporary but before sending showed message to colleagues and suggested making statement concerning leaving apply to all Allied chiefs instead of myself alone. Colleagues, however, while not objecting to my statement, added the following to my message: “If arriving Archangel, local authorities consider it unsafe for us to remain there, we shall leave with regret and with the hope of returning soon.”
Locomotive was furnished and Diplomatic Corps staffs and attachés numbering about 130 arrived Archangel, 11 a.m., 26th; was waited upon by two members local Soviet and one representative Central Soviet who had been on train with us. They informed us that boat awaiting us at wharf about 300 yards distant to convey us to destination selected by ourselves. Corps refused to leave Archangel until permitted to communicate with respective governments via Alexandrovsk cable and if that not permitted demanded armed Allied escort from Archangel bar to Murmansk or Kandalaksha. Soviet committee replied had only one instruction and that was to send corps on through Archangel when arrived there. We positively refused to move and committee powerless to do otherwise said would communicate our wishes to Central Soviet, Moscow. Popov, chief local Commissariat, communicated with Moscow over direct wire during entire afternoon and evening and returned to train about noon, 27th, stating Soviet government replied communication of Allied chiefs with their governments impossible and armed Allied escort unavailable because no armed Allied vessels admitted in Archangel [Page 628] Harbor and telegraph or radio communication with Murmansk and Kandalaksha severed; when asked if severance was political or physical, replied was both. We thereupon demanded another boat in addition to one provided which was inadequate and stated we desired to go to Kandalaksha and to clear as soon as possible and requested two Russian trawlers as escort.
Popov and Lapin, Central Soviet representative, were nervous and frightened because reported existence of anti-Bolshevik organization in Archangel and Archangel Province where have been several outbreaks against Bolshevik rule. Local Soviet, Archangel, had been inclined to favor Allies until Central Soviet sent special commission to evacuate supplies of which I informed you weeks ago. Central Soviet had also sent Kedrov, strong uncompromising Bolshevik, to Archangel who had arrested local Duma and who, on returning, had stopped at Vologda, removed mayor, and installed local Soviet there. Kedrov was in Archangel when we left Vologda but met us en route and sending aide informed my aide that boat awaiting us at Archangel to convey us out of Russia on arrival there, the railroad station being on opposite side of the river. We made no reply to Kedrov, who went to Vologda. Armour,1 who remained at Vologda, wired us that Kedrov had received telegram signed Lenin, Trotsky and Chicherin, ordering him not permit us to leave Archangel; this was confirmed to me by French Consul, Archangel, who said he knew that plan was to hold Allied diplomats at Archangel as hostages to prevent Allied landing.
We pushed demands for boats and informed Popov and Lapin we desired to leave as soon as possible for Kandalaksha. They did not tell us of Central Soviet order to detain us but said additional boat would be at wharf, 5 p.m., 28th, and promised trawlers if available. We got baggage on wharf immediately and second boat arrived about 7 p.m. but were not permitted to take baggage aboard until hour thereafter, the excuse being that customs regulations must be observed. Chiefs all went to wharf identified baggage which was aboard by 10 p.m. Meantime additional boat had provided room for numerous Belgian and Serbian refugees assembled Archangel and who were afraid of violence if left there. We finally obtained consent of committee to take refugees aboard. At shortly after 10 p.m. all persons aboard boat were ordered off, including chiefs, and permitted to reembark on showing passports. This consumed two hours more. Lapin, Central Soviet representative, had informed me that he would, on request of several of my colleagues, accompany us to Kandalaksha but demanded written guarantee of personal safety while there and also return of boats conveying us thither. [Page 629] Considering such request reasonable, I prepared two guarantees carefully worded and had eight Allied chiefs sign both. About 1 a.m. he requested the written guarantees and upon receiving same left the boat for the city and did not return until 3.30 a.m., when he informed me that the boats would immediately clear and we would have one trawler for escort.
Leaving Archangel 4 a.m., 29th, we arrived without incident at Kandalaksha 11 a.m., July 30, and immediately wired Poole, Murmansk, urging him to send troops at once to Archangel. Number troops at Murmansk had been variously reported to be from 3,000 to 25,000, of which Americans numbered 1,000 to 4,000. Arrived Murmansk 10 p.m., 31st. Poole had left for Archangel at 11 a.m., 31st, with Bierer, Martin, Admiral Kemp and about 1,700 men, of which 50 were American bluejackets, being substantially entire force here. I have advised Department by cables from here of developments since arrival. Hastened to leave Archangel not only because feared being held as hostages but on account reported anti-Bolshevik movement and thought advisable to be away when same occurred.
Returning Kandalaksha this evening leaving Riggs, Murmansk to go Archangel direct by first conveyance available. Ruggles, Johnston returning Kandalaksha with me, also Consul Strother who arrived from London 2d; found couriers Christy and Sands here with thirty-four pouches containing mail from January accompanied by couriers Baisden and Steele with thirteen additional pouches whom I am taking to Kandalaksha sending Christy and Sands to London. Italian Minister also returning with me but Lindley sick on His Majesty’s ship Glory and cannot return with us.
Nothing direct from Poole or Kemp. Shall determine further movements Kandalaksha but plan to return Vologda if possible.
- Norman Armour, Second Secretary of the Embassy.↩