File No. 861.00/3225
The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 16, 4.45 p.m.]
560. After leaving I have authorized address to American soldiers northern Russia framed by myself. Their spirit of sacrifice and service is commended notwithstanding handicaps under which they have labored. I alluded to provisions made for their comfort by Red Cross and Y.M.C.A. and stated that no service of Allied troops anywhere is of greater importance than in northern Russia. Reference is made to many expressions of President and statement ventured that war will continue in Russia after negotiations for peace between our Government and Allies with Central Empires are effected but that we should be recreant to our obligations if we should withdraw our forces from Russia and permit the Russian people, who have already suffered by loss of six million young manhood, enormous damage to their industries, their commerce and their commercial interests, to continue to exhaust themselves in civil strife or become the victims of any foreign power, etc.