File No. 861.22/36
The British Chargé (Barclay) to the Secretary of State
Memorandum
His Britannic Majesty’s Chargé d’Affaires presents his compliments to the Secretary of State and has the honour to inform him by instruction of His Majesty’s Government that a number of Letts are being recruited for service with the Allies in northern Russia and the question has been raised of the formation of a Lettish legion there with Lettish officers. In order to secure publicity for this and obtain further Lettish recruits it is suggested that the following announcement should be published through the Lettish representative in London and the Lettish Committee in the United States as well as in Scandinavia:
The commander in chief of the Allied forces in north Russia has consented to the formation of a Lettish legion for the purpose of fighting to free Livonia from the German yoke. The legion will be trained by Allied instructors and officered by Letts.
The conditions of service and discipline are the same as those of the Allied soldiers. We ask all to join who value the honour and freedom of their country.
His Majesty’s Chargé d’Affaires is instructed to enquire whether the United States Government see any objection to the proposed announcement and, if not, whether they will approach the Lettish Committee on the subject. On being informed of the concurrence of the United States Government His Majesty’s Government will take the necessary steps to secure publication in the United Kingdom and in Scandinavia.
His Majesty’s Chargé d’Affaires would be most grateful for an early expression of the Secretary of State’s views.
[Received October 2.]