File No. 861.00/1220
The Consul General at Moscow (Summers) to the Secretary of State1
[Received March 4, 8.55 p.m.]
225. The Bolsheviks yesterday2 signed an ignominious unconditional peace with the Central powers whose last demands embraced great part of Russia, also oil and mineral lands Batum, Kars, and Ardakhan.
Bolshevik press and attitude of authorities continue hostile to the Allies and friendly Central powers.
Prominent Russians have asked me to advise American Government that any delay in occupying Siberian Railway will result in complete domination by Germany of all Russia and control of this line which is now the only communication with outside world. If this is done the prisoners with aid of Bolsheviks will soon control line and keep same open for military purposes.
Joint intervention will be welcomed by the great majority of peaceful Russians who consider such a step as the only escape from anarchy on the one side or the restoration of autocracy under German protection on the other side.
- Sent Mar. 4 via the Consulate at Vladivostok.↩
- Cf. vol. i, pp. 434 and 445.↩