File No. 861.00/3433
The Minister in Sweden (Morris) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 15, 5.30 a.m.]
3341. General Yudenich submitted to me to-day memorandum, summary of which is given below. General Yudenich is one of the most popular generals of the former Russian army and has seen most of his service in the Caucasus. He was one of the commanders of the army fighting the Turks and was the general who was in charge of the troops which captured Erzerum. He is associated with Baron Taube, professor of international exchange of the University [Page 858] of Petrograd, and Trepov, under the Tsar Minister of Communications and Labor [Premier] following Sturmer and [before] Golitsyn.
Present aim of all parties should be common battle against the Bolsheviks with material assistance Entente. Basing conclusions on this it is necessary add following considerations. Evacuation German garrisons from territories Russia and Finland, unless those garrisons replaced by Entente troops, and unless disorganization German troops by Bolshevik propaganda should cease, gives Bolsheviks possibility penetrating regions which at present slightly subject to their influence. On other hand progress revolution in Germany with apparent tendency toward Bolshevism adds prestige to Bolsheviks, makes them realize their strength and in general betters their position. Moreover, important remember that Red Army while increasing numerically is also improving in quality, consequently battle against Bolshevism would be more serious later than now. Moreover, Bolshevism tending become veritable international scourge. Important in common interest civilized states definitely give up system combating Bolsheviks by limitation of their activity and desire you adopt strong measures in order paralyze very sources from which Bolshevism spreads.
Best location for military action against Bolsheviks would be in Baltic provinces and Finland. Their advantageous geographic situation, their ports and railways, their proximity to Petrograd, the possibility of raising voluntary troops in those regions, and furthermore the absence of fortifications on routes leading to capital, sympathy of population already tried by Bolshevik regime, difficulties for Bolsheviks to provision themselves in these already exhausted parts, all speak in favor of such operation. Principal ports and towns Baltic provinces should be occupied by Entente troops in order maintain law and order and permit Russian oriental races [sic] to organize under those circumstances to take part in [battle] against Bolsheviks.
Now 50,000 Entente troops sufficient occupy shores of Finland and Baltic provinces, while if occupation delayed number required later will be considerably more. Finland can furnish arms and munitions out of large store left in that country by former Russian army, while uniforms and food would have to be brought in. Matter of provisioning most complicated in the Empire [and requires?] parts of army fighting Bolsheviks be supplied with food from England; also population of reoccupied territories would have to be fed. By equipping 1,000 officers and men now in Finland, those now in Baltic provinces, and bringing those from Archangel and Moscow [Murmansk?], Russian nucleus of 10,000 or 12,000 could [Page 859] be obtained. After first successes, Russian army of 50,000 could be found which would require, not counting cost of arms, uniforms and transportation, about 50,000,000 rubles monthly.
Repeated to Paris. Copy to London.