Paris Peace Conf. 861.00/102
Aide-Mémoire
Russia does not possess a Government officially recognized by the
Allies. The latter await the definitive result of the struggle which
is going on between the Bolshevist tyranny and the helpless majority
of the people who have been taken unawares. The Allies are faced
with the question: on which side is to be found the real Russia.
Nevertheless, the liberation of the Russian people is drawing near.
The tragic period of disintegration and dissolution is ended. It has
given way to the work of reconstituting the vital forces of the
people and the creation of a center of national unification. At the
present moment, such centers of regeneration have been formed in the
East, the North, and the South of Russia. The Governments which have
arisen in different parts of the country, for the moment isolated
from one another, are beginning to rally and to consolidate their
powers. They are all striving for the same goal of reviving Russia
and the sovereignty of the Russian people.
The Government of Omsk, which was set up before the others, is
laboring toward that object with an untiring energy and with success
in its efforts to group all the local governments about itself.
Having set as its goal the reconstitution of the Russian State, and
having solemnly given a pledge to grant to the Russian people, after
the reestablishment of order, the opportunity to express freely
their will and to determine their destiny, it has proclaimed itself
as the Government of all the Russias.
This Government has now existed for eight months. It is true that in
the interval changes have taken place within it, but this fact has
not had any influence whatever on its orientation and has not
checked the progress and consolidation of its power. The rich and
vast regions, which are included under its administration, are
purged of the Bolsheviks and its machinery of government has been
definitively [Page 277] formed. Its
authority and its strength are growing from day to day. It has
created a well disciplined army. One hundred and thirty thousand
Russian soldiers, aided by the Allies, are successfully fighting on
a front of a thousand kilometres. The strength of this Government
and its capacity in operation are manifested by victories won over
the enemy.
Nevertheless, the consolidation of power in Russia could advance even
more vigorously if the Allies were disposed to cooperate by the
official recognition of the Government of Omsk as the government of
all the Russias. This recognition would be for Russia one of the
most effective means of assistance. It would make easier her
liberation from the Bolshevist tyranny and would make possible the
free expression of her will.
