File No. 861.00/3471

The Minister in Sweden ( Morris ) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

3360. Local representatives of the Lettish republic called on me this morning requesting Allied assistance in fighting Bolsheviks. They outlined the present position as resulting from present tactics of the German Government.

During German occupation Germans refused allow Letts organize their own army or even their own police or militia. Now when Germans are retiring they do not hand civil organizations over to Letts but they retire in such a manner that small bands of Bolshevik troops advance immediately behind them along railroads and occupy territory. This interval between withdrawal German troops and appearance Bolsheviki is only one of hours and Lettish people having no arms and munitions in such short time cannot organize means of defense. Hence Bolshevik advance meets no opposition at all and they are able to strengthen their positions in various centers without any resistance whatsoever.

The Bolsheviks in their advance are taking hostages, pillaging and levying contributions on wealthy. They are also performing all other terroristic acts for which they are so well known. Their advance is steady one and they have now reached a point about 100 kilometers east of Riga. At present rate it will be only short time until all Livland and Courland are in their hands.

These representatives are convinced that German policy is such that they [are] purposely handing over this territory to Bolsheviks only because by so doing they will compel the peoples of those territories, unless Allied assistance is given to drive out Bolsheviks, to appeal to Germans for help and in this way Germany will again obtain and secure hold on these regions.

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Representatives also pointed out that they did not a month ago anticipate such situation because according to terms armistice Germans were to leave their troops in these territories until Allies requested them withdraw them. However, Germans are not observing this clause of the armistice.

They urgently requested that Allied assistance in form warships be dispatched immediately to Riga, Libau, and Windau not only that their moral influence will be felt but with ammunition and arms so that local population may organize to resist Bolsheviks.

Repeated to London and Paris.

Morris