File No. 861.00/813

The Ambassador in Russia ( Francis ) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

2090. The following received yesterday addressed:

Ambassadors of England, France, America, Italy, Japan, Belgium, Serbia, Montenegro, Rumania, and Portugal.

The citizens of Kiev, assembled on November 23 [/December 6?], have decided to address to you, Mr. Ambassador, the following declaration:

We ask you to show the greatest possible indulgence to our country, our unfortunate native country, which, to our deep shame and disgrace, has swerved from the path of honor and duty. We take the liberty to make this request and we firmly believe in the future recovery of the Russian nation. This nation during the course of many centuries created a powerful state, guided by the will of its rulers. When there were no more such, the Russian people, unused to self-government, not having learned to independently decide its destiny, was deceived and deluded by German agents spread in large numbers over our country. These German agents have drawn the attention of the nation away from the menacing force advancing towards and from the west and they have transferred lawful hatred of the crafty and merciless conqueror to the cultured portion of the Russian nation, using for this end the doctrines of socialism falsely and perversely understood. This deception cannot long continue, it will be revealed. The Russian people will see and understand who are its true friends just as we understand it, we the better educated Russian citizens, whom German intrigue never has and never will turn aside from the right road. We ask you, Mr. Ambassador, to believe that a separate peace without the consent of [our] allies produces in us feelings of indignation and disgust, that we consider it to be black treason to our friends, and that we shall make every effort to redeem this shameful action if it take place against our will.

By order of the Assembly. Shulgin.

Guchkov and Shulgin were sent to the Emperor in March and induced His Excellency to abdicate.

Am sending Jenkins 2 to Kiev to-night with instructions to consult Summers, Moscow, concerning establishing consulate at Kiev, [Page 650] which Department approved and for which Embassy requested exequatur from the Provisional Government but latter deposed before replying. Cautioned Jenkins against recognizing any government; gave him discretion as to opening consulate.

Francis
  1. Douglas Jenkins, formerly Consul at Riga.