File No. 861.85/23

The Ambassador in Russia ( Francis ) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

271. Chicherin sent communication 12th to Consulate General concerning our seizure of ships of Russian Volunteer Fleet; cites Simferopol in Manila, April last; also Nijni Novgorod, Toula and Kishinev which states were chartered end of last year for transport service on Pacific with promise would be sent Vladivostok towards middle April but were seized by us about April 1; details of seizure unknown but information thereof received from Russian mercantile marine agent, New York, with the suggestion that we wish use same in accordance with “bare-ship basis,” whatever that is. Communication proceeds:

Mercantile Voluntary Fleet of Far East has protested, by telegraph, against seizure; emphasizing necessity of return as ships indispensable for communication between important ports in north also for facilitating fishing trade.

Commissariat begs Consulate General to approach our Government on this subject so that necessary steps may be immediately taken and ships returned Russian mercantile marine as soon as possible.

[Page 314]

Chicherin sends Lockhart similar communication same date. Cites ships Vitim en route Singapore; also Tobolsk and Indighirka seized at Hong Kong, “for the war on basis of Anglo-Russian convention 1916”; communication also mentions ships of Volunteer Fleet navigating White Sea held up by English.

Lockhart communication ends: “when Russia made peace with Central powers treaty mentioned lost all lawful power consequently can not be used without Russia violating her neutrality.”

Francis