File No. 861.00/3381
The British Chargé ( Barclay ) to the Secretary of State
Memorandum
His Britannic Majesty’s Chargé d’Affaires presents his compliments to the Secretary of State and has the honour to inform him, by direction of his Government, that a telegram has been received at the Foreign Office from His Majesty’s representative at Archangel who states that the situation there would undoubtedly be immensely improved by a clear declaration of policy from the Allies. The friendly or indifferent portion of the population are at present afraid to declare themselves on our side or to cooperate with us as they fear a withdrawal of our troops and subsequent Bolshevist reprisals. Their hesitation will become more pronounced as soon as the armistice is settled and will continue to increase until the Allies make an authoritative pronouncement as to their future intentions.
Mr. Lindley stated in an interview which he gave recently to the editor of the pro-government paper that the Allied Governments were no doubt considering their action in case of peace, but that the armistice would in his personal opinion not alter the situation in the Archangel region and that it would certainly not entail an immediate withdrawal of Allied troops. Mr. Lindley adds that such an expression of personal opinion carried little weight with it. He states that he fully realises the difficulty of arriving at a decision when it is a question of continuously taking into consideration [Page 570] the fact that so many governments and questions of home politics must be thought of, but the longer it is postponed the stronger the Bolshevists will become. It is generally agreed that they were in a very tottering condition in August last. His Majesty’s representative enquires whether it would not be possible to take the line that the presence of representative Russian delegates is necessary at the peace conference and that so long as all free expression of opinion in Russia is prevented by the reign of terror such representatives cannot be found. The fact that no punishment has been inflicted on the murderers of Captain Cromie or of the innocent Russians whom we still consider as our Allies might be added to this broad reason for intervention.
In communicating the above to the United States Government, His Majesty’s Chargé d’Affaires is directed to inform them that His Majesty’s Government consider it desirable that some form of statement should be made with a view to easing the situation. While in the opinion of His Majesty’s Government it is undesirable to enter into any explanation, as Mr. Lindley has proposed, with regard to retaining the Allied troops in the Archangel region, it is suggested that the Allied representatives should make a plain official statement to the effect that the Allied occupation is not likely to be terminating in the immediate future, although it is not intended that it should be permanent.
His Majesty’s Chargé d’Affaires is directed to add that His Majesty’s Government would be grateful for an expression of the views of the United States Government in the matter.