File No. 861.00/3220

The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in Russia (Poole)

[Telegram]

386. Your 572, November 13, 3 p.m. Signing of the armistice has created no change in the situation until the question of how to further assist Russia, particularly after the withdrawal of German troops from occupied Russian territory, is determined by discussion with the Allied Governments at Paris. The President and Secretary of State have to-day sailed for France. As already made quite clear by this Government American forces were sent to Archangel only to safeguard Russian stores and supplies and to protect the port of Archangel from attacks which were being organized or directed in whole or in part by German and Austrian prisoners of war.

Polk