Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1918, Russia, Volume III

File No. 861.77/58

The Russian Embassy to the Department of State

[Translation]

Washington , undated .
[Received April 21, 1917.]

1. Since the declaration of war, the Government of the United States of America is able to demand of all the factories in the country priority in filling military orders; moreover, several factories will be specially adapted to the requirements of the war. In this manner the periods for the filling of war orders will be considerably shortened and the amount of the orders will be increased.

2. The United States will furnish Russia a large quantity of rolling stock for the railroads of Russia, as well as rails and other materials necessary for the development of the Russian railroad systems. It is possible to obtain the necessary rolling stock for Russia from the supply already completed in America, without waiting for new orders to be filled. Furthermore, necessary changes will be made within the shortest period enabling the Russian railroad lines to be supplied with American locomotives and cars.

3. An adequate space will be reserved without delay at Vladivostok for the construction of warehouses for merchandise to be sent from America. Likewise a part of the wharf will be adapted for the simultaneous unloading of twenty-five steamships. At the same time the workshops and storehouses at Vladivostok and at other points will be suitably arranged with the consent of the Russian Government. The lighters, storehouses, workshops, etc., reserved for the merchandise will be placed at the disposal of a special officer who will arrive from America as soon as possible with the necessary staff. The legal conditions governing this cooperation will be established later on.

4. Officers, engineers, and foremen will start at once from the United States to examine the wharves, storehouses, and workshops at Vladivostok and Harbin intended for the cargoes and railroad equipment from the United States.

5. American engineering experts will be asked by the Russian Government to study the questions relating to the operation and efficiency of the railroad companies of Ussuri, eastern China, and Siberia, and to give their opinion as to the improvements in the Russian military supply service by the United States.

6. American engineers will be sent immediately to study the above-mentioned railroads and elaborate measures looking to an increase in their traffic, to the construction of a double track and sidetracks, workshops, and depots, and to ascertain at once all the needs of these railroads and have the necessary orders placed in the United States.