File No. 861.24/50
The Ambassador in Russia ( Francis ) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 26, 8.25 a.m.]
29. Wired Cole 2 come here for conference. He reports 195,000 tons supplies at Archangel of which 50,000 privately owned, remainder English, American. Government endeavoring forward [Page 112] same to interior but Consul notified Evacuation Commission from Petrograd all such supplies considered property of Allies because Government Council had repudiated loans. Did we join in such statement?
Cole recommended in January that the two shiploads provisions be sent him Archangel for sale to relieve impending scarcity but I did not transmit same because awaiting separate peace negotiations; appears British Consul made like recommendation which his Government ignored until several days ago when unexpectedly received cable signed “Balfour” advising that the two vessels ready to load with foodstuffs for Archangel which after specifying total of 6,200 tons and naming vessels Nascopie and Egba stated British Government expected vessels to return with specified metals, flax, ply wool, etc., from [garbled group] military discharging area without giving disposing directions for food or specifying how to procure metals which claimed by Russian Evacuation Commission who in control. British and American, Consuls thought this being predicted [projected?] and former so cabled London. Probably British Government thought consenting to Japanese invasion justified British and [landing?] Archangel which she has virtually dominated since I came Russia.
Cole requests that two shiploads provisions be sent Archangel for sale or exchange for Russian products and I recommend granting thereof because will relieve hunger and be good propaganda; furthermore Embassy, Consulates, and other Americans in Russia may possibly be compelled to go Archangel. Cole has good judgment and knows Archangel conditions. Answer this, routed Vladivostok. Please cable its receipt.
- Felix Cole, Consul at Archangel.↩