File No. 861.00/2784
The Ambassador in France ( Sharp) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 25, 6 p.m.]
5182. Department’s circular, September 21 [20], 6 p.m., to London was repeated as requested to Berne, Rome, Madrid, Havre and Lisbon. In taking this matter up with M. Pichon, Minister for Foreign Affairs, this afternoon he said that the French Government would very gladly cooperate with the Government of the United States in restraining, so far as practicable, the disorders and crimes now being committed in Russia and stated further that it would be pleased to join with the United States Government in any common declaration to that effect. The Minister stated that, as a matter of fact, there has been sent out, under date of September 1, a declaration, by radio, by the French Government that the Bolshevik government would be held responsible for all the crimes committed under its rule. He expressed satisfaction that Washington was now taking the initiative in this expression of horror which must exist among all civilized people over the atrocities [which] now can be seen committed in Russia.