File No. 861.00/1314
Trusting my action will be approved by the Department, I have
[etc.]
[Enclosure—Translation]
The American Consul at Tiflis
(Smith) to the
President of the Southeastern Federation (Kharlamov)
Tiflis, December 5/18,
1917.
My Dear Vasili: I take the liberty to inform
you that the Allies, according to reports received, will
probably soon lend extensive aid to the federative government. I
am personally very glad, as I see in this step the only way of
salvation for Russia and the maintenance of the friendly and
honest relations which have existed between Russia and her
allies from the very beginning of the war.
Unfortunately the reasons which are known to you still prevent
Transcaucasia from openly entering into an alliance with the
federation. In order to facilitate this step it is necessary, in
my opinion, to take two measures.
The first of these measures consists in having the Kuban and
Terek governments prevent the return to Transcaucasia of
disorganized troop units which, returning home from that front
and not receiving a hearty welcome, return to the rear of the
Transcaucasian army and thereby increase the number of dangerous
idlers already present there.
The second measure is of still greater significance and demands
certain sacrifices from the aforesaid two governments, but these
sacrifices are essential to the accomplishment of the general
plan. This measure would be to send and place at the disposal of
the commander in chief of the Caucasian armies Cossack
detachments which, together with the Georgian and Armenian
units, would form lines of defense at various points along the
railroad between the front and Tiflis for the purpose of
disarming bodies of troops returning from the front and
dangerous to internal order.
In the name of General Shore, Colonel
Chardigny, and in my own I ask your
cooperation in effecting the adoption of the aforementioned
indispensable and undelayable measures.
The bearer hereof, my assistant, Vice Consul
Doolittle, is returning immediately to
Tiflis and I will ask you to give him for me written
instructions regarding the undelayable measures of the
federative government for the accomplishment of which the
cooperation of the Allied Governments is necessary and to inform
me whether your government, in case of necessity, can extend
hospitality to the Rumanian troops.
It would be very desirable, if you deemed it possible, for you to
send two of your representatives to Tiflis, one on military and
the other on financial matters.
I am very glad that our friendly relations enable me to write you
unofficially, and I embrace the opportunity to express to you my
best wishes and the sentiments of sincere esteem and
devotion.
