File No. 861.00/2061
The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 18, 5.05 a.m.]
264. Your 170, June 10, 2 p.m.1 “American interests” are in my judgment involved in welfare of Czechs. They number approximately 50,000, are by agreement part of Allied army as American troops are, and were endeavoring to reach France according to agreement with Russia, when ordered disarmed. This came to my knowledge three days after receipt of your circular of May 29, announcing sympathy with Czechs, whereupon I instructed Consulate General to inform Chicherin that “our Government” would in my judgment consider their disarmament and swine [severe] treatment newspaper correspondent [as constituting] unfriendly act, inspired by Germany or certainly by hostile act of Berlin [sentiment] toward the Allies. Poole followed strictly my instructions and on returning to Consulate, found there British, French, Italian Consuls General who persuaded him to accompany them to the Foreign Office in which he acquiesced. Chicherin promised to answer by the following day, June 5, saying that he would submit matter to the Council of Commissaires. No reply yet received but learn from reliable source that Chicherin ordered Czechs not only disarmed but disbanded, and ordered those not joining Red Army to be forced to [Page 208] work; has abolished Czechs’ headquarters, and dissolved headquarters council Moscow. Headquarters incident appears as I anticipated fraught with important consequences, one being overthrow of Soviet authority in Siberia, another cutting off food supply from western Russia, which was already scant; see my 260, June 11, 8 p.m.1
If exceeded my authority or transgressed regulations of service am very sorry but distance from Department and unsatisfactory cable service compel me to assume authority to meet emergencies, and I am always willing to accept cheerfully correction when make mistake. Please cable receipt hereof.
- Ante, p. 201.↩
- Vol. iii, p. 126.↩