File No. 861.00/2405
The Ambassador in Russia ( Francis ) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 3, 747 p.m.]
344. Arrived Murman 10 p.m., July 31, and came aboard Olympia where have been since. When left Kandalaksha thought would return [Page 506] to-day and possibly go thence on the same boats to Archangel where anti-Bolshevik coup (d’état arranged for 31st; not that I had any connection therewith, quite the contrary, as thought no Allied chiefs should be there when occurred. Allied forces due Archangel under Poole this evening but landing resisted if Bolsheviks still control, otherwise not. Do not know character or object of opposition nor what government it will establish if successful, consequently shall [make] no recommendation until better informed; cannot be worse than Soviet, with whom Allies cannot possibly afford to even cooperate. Bolshevik success in Russia would be menace to all orderly governments, ours not excepted, and would in my judgment impair the foundations of society itself; the guiding impulse is class hatred and it looks contemptuously on the sacredness of the family as well as the inviolability of person and property. I believe in division of land and that tillers of the soil should own it and that state should apportion same at extremely moderate compensation to present holders on easy terms but not in confiscation absolute.
Germany, disappointed in France, thanks to our timely action, will now turn to Russia and organize fighting front which the Allies should oppose with forces numbering minimum of 25,000 provisioned and equipped for winter; such force would attract 100,000 Russians, possibly more, but 5,000 or 10,000 Allied troops would be ineffectual in moral influence, while it might hold Murman and Archangel winter. No time for delay and am contemplating sending Riggs or Ruggles to Paris probably with French and British officers to acquaint War Council with Russian situation; they will not leave however before seeing Poole and ascertaining his views and plans nor before I see your cables accumulated here where cable manager says frightful congestion prevails; estimates over 200 for embassies and consulates and promises us some at 4 p.m. to-day as expecting twelve additional men from Alexandrovsk to assist in relieving congestion.