Paris Peace Conf. 183.9 Russia/6
The Secretary of Embassy at Paris (
Caffery
) to Captain Walter H. Lippmann
Paris
, December
24, 1918.
Dear Captain Lippmann: As of possible interest to Colonel House’s Mission, I enclose
herewith two copies and two translations
[Page 273]
of a circular telegram addressed by Mr. Klutchnikoff to the Russian Embassy at
Paris, asking that the interests of Russia may not be forgotten in the
peace negotiations.6
Very sincerely yours,
[Enclosure—Telegram—Translation]
The Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs of the
Kolchak Government at Omsk (
Klutchnikoff
) to the Russian
Embassy at Paris
1585. Kindly transmit the following declaration of the Russian
Government to the French Government and through our Ambassadors and
Ministers in Europe to the Governments to whom they are accredited:
the war of four years against the German coalition has terminated by
the complete triumph of those who sought to guarantee the peoples
against violence and arbitrary power. Fate has not allowed Russia,
exhausted by the excessive burden of a long struggle, to continue to
fight in the ranks of the Allies until the joyful day of victory but
she celebrates this victory with the Allies and awaits the
beneficial results which will accrue therefrom for all the universe
and for the Russian people overwhelmed with suffering. Russia notes
with profound satisfaction that her supreme efforts for the common
cause as well as her innumerable and bloody sacrifices have not been
forgotten; the Allied Powers have forced Germany to cancel the
“Treaty of Brest”, they have obliged her to evacuate the Russian
territories and to cease the destruction of national property in
Russia. The Russian Government is happy to express the warm
sentiments of gratitude which this generous act of the Allies
awakens in the heart of the Russian people. Russia, who aspires to
the reunion of her territories separated from the Mother Country,
perceives in this act the hope of having her voice heard in the
peace negotiations and of collaborating in the organization of the
life of the peoples on new and unchangeable bases of a close and
honest friendship. The foundations of the reconstitution of Russia
are already laid. The Russian Government relying on the true
national sentiment which has just been awakened is working for the
reconstitution of the State having for its principles Liberty,
equality, and true democracy. The Russian Government knows that the
Allied Powers are guided in their acts by the high ideals of equity
and international solidarity, and will accept with gratitude their
assistance in her work for the regeneration of Russia; for Russia
cannot and must not remain
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in the present state which threatens the civilized world with
further great commotions, and which might deprive for a long time
the peoples already exhausted with fatigue of the benefits of peace
and the victors of the fruit of their victory.