File No. 661.119Vessels/12
The Russian Ambassador (Bakhmeteff) to the Counselor for the Department of State (Polk)
My Dear Mr. Polk: Referring to the question of chartering the Russian Volunteer Fleet steamers to the United States Government, I have directed Mr. C. J. Medzikhovski, the Russian commercial attaché, and Mr. I. Shestakovski, agent of the Russian Volunteer Fleet, to confer with the United States Shipping Board.
As a consequence of conferences between the above-mentioned gentlemen and Mr. Carey and his assistant Mr. Mallory, it has been agreed that the S.S. Nijni Novgorod (4,300 tons), S.S. Kishinev (3,100 tons), and S.S. Toula (3,100 tons), now lying at Seattle; the S.S. Omsk (12,000 tons), now lying at Norfolk; the S.S. Irtysh (7,100 tons), S.S. Novgorod (7,590 tons), and S.S. Yaroslavl (5,500tons), all expected to arrive in New York or some other United States port in a short time, will be chartered by the United States Shipping Board on the so-called bare-boat form charter.
It is understood, however, that the steamers are to remain under the Russian flag and accordingly the master and part of the officers have to be Russian citizens.
It is further understood that, when the transportation of goods from America to Russia will be resumed again, the above-mentioned ships, or an equal tonnage, will be put at the disposal of the Russian Embassy if notice is given at a reasonable time.
As the above principles meet my approval I am prepared to direct Mr. Medzikhovski, the commercial attaché, with Mr. Shestakovski’s assistance, to work out the details of the arrangements and to have them executed on the Russian part in due form as soon as I am [Page 309] informed that the transaction meets the consent of the United States Government.
Accept [etc.]