File No. 861.00/3404
The Chargé in Russia (Poole) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 12, 11.50 a.m.]
654. One company of the local Russian regiment having been ordered to the front this morning, meetings were begun which resulted in the entire regiment’s declining to leave its barracks. On the second order being sent to them by General Ironside himself, five hundred, mostly old soldiers, prisoners of war, returned from Germany, presented themselves in proper formation, the remainder were then driven from the buildings by a few shots from a trench mortar and placed under guard. On being ordered to indicate the ringleaders, they pointed out some thirty men who were forthwith [Page 576] shot. The company designated for service at the front was then sent forward without arms. No reaction on the general public is perceptible so far.
The incident emphasizes anew the incapacity of Russian officers of the old régime to adjust themselves to new conditions and the unwisdom of persisting in conscription. I understand that conscription was insisted upon by the local Russian government, including Chaikovski, despite the opinion of Mr. Francis and the other Ambassadors that the volunteer system is alone practicable at present.
General Marushevski, who has commanded the Russian forces since November 18, as reported my No. 582, is an excellent man, but inevitably embarrassed by the constant necessity of accommodating the revolutionary [sentiments?] of the men on the one side to the stupid reactionary ideas of many of the officers on the other. Miller, who will supersede Marushevski, the latter remaining as second in command, is reported leaving London to-day en route from Rome.
Foregoing also sent to Paris.