File No. 861.22/36

The Secretary of State to the British Chargé (Barclay)

Memorandum

The Secretary of State presents his compliments to His Britannic Majesty’s Chargé d’Affaires ad interim, and has the honor to acknowledge the receipt of his memorandum No. 1076, dated September 28, last, stating by the instruction of the British 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 by the British Government that an announcement be published through the Lettish representative in London and the Lettish Committee in the United States as well as in Scandinavia.

This Government has given due consideration to the terms of the proposed announcement, and while it does not interpose any objection to the proposed endeavors of the British Government to promote the formation of a Lettish legion for the purpose of fighting to free Livonia from the German yoke, it does not now feel disposed to join in the proposed announcement or to approach the Lettish Committee in the United States on the subject.