File No. 861.00/2436
The Ambassador in Russia ( Francis ) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 8, 1.32 p.m.]
354. Poole sending escort from Archangel and requests Diplomatic Corps come there; leaving to-day by the same steamer that conveyed diplomatic missions here and on which been living since arrived July 30. Due at Archangel to-morrow, where stay depends on movements of Allied powers. Nothing from Moscow, Petrograd, or Vologda since 28th, nor from Soviet government. Consequently unadvised as to its feeling toward Allied diplomats, remembering however its notice that going to Archangel meant leaving Russia, also that notwithstanding such notice it gave orders to obstruct our leaving Archangel, doubtless desiring hostages to prevent landing Allied forces.
Written guarantees concerning boats and Lapin not observed because Lapin July 31, while I was at Murman, surreptitiously put man aboard trawler and ordered her clearance for Archangel, notwithstanding had willingly promised British Colonel and Lieutenant Calder boats and trawler would remain here until August 2. Man [Page 631] had come from Murman and was going to Archangel to inform Bolsheviks Poole coming and his forces. British battery fired two warning shots to stop trawler which continued going while returning shots and succeeded in escaping. Constant firing by each side and no casualties but much alarm because boats with representatives directly in line of trawler shots. Lapin confined in cabin by military authorities who promised to transfer him to diplomats on latters’ request, which made mainly on account of Allied representatives within Bolshevik jurisdiction at Vologda, Moscow, Petrograd. He is Serbian subject and secretly and criminally endeavored to convert Serbian soldiers to Bolshevik principles or to desert and violate their oaths; about 200 Serbian soldiers here well disciplined, patriotic and would kill him if left here or even before leaving if not prevented. British General Maynard commanding forces on Murman line and Colonel Marsh here intended trying him for espionage before military court martial, and reluctantly permit us secretly take him against the law, which we are doing solely because fear reprisals on our representatives if he is shot or severely treated.
Boat captains have voluntarily lowered red flag of the Soviet government and raised Russian tricolor. These boats are the property of Murman Steamship Co., but were nationalized by Soviet government, and their disposition on arrival at Archangel undetermined.
Address Embassy Archangel until further advised.