File No. 861.00/2202
The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 4, 6.07 p.m.]
269. Soviet government after stating, 11th, would not reply to disarmament protest, sent Poole written reply evening 12th, which, after detailed explanations charging that Czech movement counterrevolutionary and arrest of local Soviets, proceeds:
Soviet government has taken most decisive measures to put down with armed hand the Czechs and to make them disarm unconditionally. No other issue is admissible to the Soviet government.
Commissariat for Foreign Affairs expresses its certainty that after all above-stated representatives of the Allied powers will not regard disarmament of Czech detachments, which they have called Allied and under their protection, as an unfriendly act, but on the contrary will recognize the necessity and expediency of the measures taken by Soviet government also its proposed basis [sic]. The Commissariat for Foreign Affairs moreover expresses the hope that the representatives of the Allied powers will not delay in expressing their disapproval to the Czech detachments, which they consider under their protection, for their counter-revolutionary armed rebellion, which is most obviously and decidedly intervention in home affairs of Russia.
British Intelligence, Moscow, claims to know positively that three days ago three trainloads of German prisoners of war clothed in Russian uniforms were sent from Smolensk district to Penza to fight Czechs and trainload artillery accompanied them. French Embassy reports Soviet government ordered 12,000 uniforms and rifles provided at Petrograd—presumably to arm German prisoners of war.
[Page 212]French Minister for Foreign Affairs cables French Embassy here that military conference Paris, June 3, decided to hold Murman first, then Archangel, if impossible simultaneously, and to land battalions American, British, French, Italian troops with necessary munitions and provisions to hold those ports, all troops being under British command until otherwise ordered. Paris conference also decided to hold Czech detachments in Russia for the present.
I hope not necessary to instruct Consulate General reply Chicherin note before 18th as planning military conference 17th if General Poole arrives. If Department has instructions please answer by telegraph immediately.