File No. 861.51/406
The Russian Ambassador ( Bakhmeteff ) to the Counselor for the Department of State ( Polk )
My Dear Mr. Polk : I have been informed that an exchange of views has recently been taking place between the United States officials and the representatives of the British and French Governments with regard to currency of small denominations to be used by the United States and Allied troops in Siberia.
According to cables, which have been reaching me lately from Siberia, one is led to accept, beyond doubt, that the new national Russian authorities, at present established in Omsk, would resent any issuance of currency for use in Russia performed without their knowledge and concurrence.
I felt it my duty to draw your attention to this fact, for although the Omsk government is not officially recognized by the powers, nevertheless, the very fact of existing authority cannot be disregarded. More so, that I feel quite certain there would be no difficulty [Page 89] at all in arriving at a proper understanding with the Omsk authorities.
In particular one could take advantage of the proposed order of treasury bills in small denominations which I referred to in my communication of October 25.1
I am [etc.]