File No. 861.00/922
The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 9, 11.29 a.m.]
2208. Conferred with French Ambassador yesterday who suggested might be advisable for France, England, Italy, and America to join in recognizing independence of Finland. I concur and think should be done promptly before such action by Germany.
French Ambassador also said that British Ambassador who en route London had suggested Allied Governments’ recognizing perhaps simultaneously Soviet government here, Ukrainian government, Cossack government, and Siberian government. Such course might be advisable in the event of separate peace unnegotiable [sic] but should await further developments.
Reported France recognized Finnish and Ukrainian independence but think untrue.