File No. 763.72/5548
The Ambassador in Russia (
Francis) to
the Secretary of State
No. 781
Petrograd,
June 2, 1917.
[Received June 26.]
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith
a copy of a translation of a note from the Russian Minister for
Foreign Affairs, dated May 15/28, 1917, in which, acknowledging my
communication to him relative to the arrival in Russia of the
Special Diplomatic Mission headed by the Honorable Elihu Root, the appreciation of the
Russian Government is set forth in terms that will undoubtedly prove
as gratifying to the Department as to this Embassy.
I have [etc.]
[Enclosure—Translation]
The Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs
(
Tereshchenko) to the American Ambassador (
Francis)
No. 104/12
Petrograd,
May 15/28,
1917.
Mr. Ambassador: I have the honor to
acknowledge the receipt of your note of May 13/26 instant, in
which you transmitted to me the eloquent declaration of the
American Government regarding the arrival in Russia of the
Extraordinary Mission.
While expressing to your excellency deep gratitude for this
information, I feel constrained to tell you how much the Russian
Government appreciates the recognition of Russia’s services in
the world war which is set forth in this note, and how gladly it
concurs with the wish of the American Government to arrange for
the mutual exchange of views regarding the best means for
conducting the war against the principles of militarism and
autocracy which have been established [Page 114] in the country of our adversaries, and
constituting a serious menace to the liberty of all nations. I
hasten to assure you that the Russian Government and all the
Russian people are preparing the heartiest welcome to the
Extraordinary Mission of the President which is coming hither
from the great transatlantic Republic which, throughout all its
history, has been reared on the lofty democratic principles of
liberty, equality and justice.
Accept [etc.]
