861.00/3674

The British Chargé ( Barclay ) to the Acting Secretary of State

No. 57

Memorandum

His Majesty’s Chargé d’Affaires presents his compliments to the Acting Secretary of State and has the honour to inform him, by direction of his Government that they propose to send the following telegram to His Majesty’s Representatives in China: [Page 191]

“At the time Russia went out of the war there were a great quantity of Chinese Coolies working in Labour Battalions behind the Russian Lines. The Bolshevist Government have enlisted a considerable number of these Chinese, estimated at from 10 to 12,000 as soldiers in their Armies and are using them for the special object of devastation and extermination in the adjoining territory and also at the chief Bolshevist Centre to torture and put to death prisoners and political opponents. I am convinced the Chinese Government entirely disapproves of such proceedings and you should urge them to address an immediate summons to the Bolshevist Government either by wireless or through the Danish Red Cross, which appear to be the only means of communication still open, to release all Chinese from their service and to facilitate their repatriation to China. An order should also be issued to the Chinese in the Bolshevist Armies to cease serving with the Bolshevists and to return home as soon as possible. The Allied authorities will do all that lies in their power to see that this order is disseminated and reaches the Chinese concerned.”

In informing the United States Government of this proposed representation, His Majesty’s Chargé d’Affaires is directed to express the hope that if they agree they will be so good as to instruct their representatives in China to support it.