File No. 861.51/425
The Chargé in Russia ( Poole ) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 4, 9.50 p.m.]
628. Admiral McCully,1 who went to Murman November 24, telegraphs the Embassy under date of November 30: “Workmen still remain unpaid and conditions approaching acute stage. There have been recently armed conflicts in Murman between Russians and British, with four or five killed. Settlement workmen’s claims and supply of currency are urgent.”2 General Maynard, who is now in London, has acquainted the British authorities with the currency needs at Murman, and they have in turn to-day instructed Lindley to find the sums needed, amounting in all, I believe, to Rs. 39,000,000, by December 31, after which date the Foreign Office says that new rubles of the British issue may be supplied. Lindley has on hand only Rs. 3,000,000, which he is sending at once. The only means so far perceived of obtaining further large amounts is through the sale of new rubles of British issue for future delivery. New rubles can not be delivered in large quantities at once owing to need for local stamping as explained in my No. 586, November 18, 7 p.m.
Foregoing has been sent to Paris also.
- Rear Admiral Newton A. McCully, commanding U.S. naval forces in north Russia.↩
- Regarding the situation referred to, see the Ambassador’s telegram No. 385, Sept. 6, vol. ii, p. 519.↩