File No. 861.00/3054
The Secretary of State to the French Ambassador (Jusserand)
Excellency: I have received your note of October 15, 1918,1 in regard to the attitude which the Government of the French Republic proposes to assume towards the Directory constituted recently at Ufa.
In reply I have the honor to inform you that the Government of the United States has already directed its consular representatives in Siberia, without committing this Government, to keep in close touch with the leaders of all movements having for their purpose the restoration of orderly government in Russia. I have also informed the Russian Ambassador at Washington that I hope he will keep me informed of the progress of the movement inaugurated by the Directory and have explained to him that non-recognition by the United States must not be construed as a lack of sympathy with any efforts in Russia to erect a government capable of protecting individual rights and performing its international obligations.
You will therefore see that this Government sympathizes with many of the sentiments expressed in the draft of an announcement which your excellency’s Government proposes to be made by the Allied Governments. At the same time it will be evident that the Government of the United States is not prepared to join in a general statement declaring that “the Allies, desirous of coming to Russia’s assistance and to labor jointly with the leaders towards the restoration of the state, will not fail to accord in full confidence to the Directory the moral support that it may need as well as all the material assistance at their command.”
As you are aware, this Government is determined to devise means to render economic assistance to the Russian people and has not modified its purpose to assist Russia. However, it is not yet in a position to lend definite support to any movement or to any group of leaders. It will continue, therefore, for the present, to keep in close touch with events in Russia and to pursue its efforts to lend such economic relief and support as may prove practicable for it to undertake in those parts of Russia where such efforts can be made effective.
Accept [etc.]