861.00/3804: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Commission to Negotiate Peace
620. For the Secretary of State: Following telegram received today from De Witt C. Poole, Chargé d’Affaires at Archangel:
[Here follows text of telegram No. 829, February 4, 4 p.m., printed ante, p. 42.]
In reply the following telegram was sent to Mr. Poole today:
“[480.] The Department thoroughly appreciates the difficulties you have found in such comparative isolation from adequate sources of regular information. I want you to appreciate, however, the trust reposed in you and the grave responsibilities which you [Page 47] have as the chief representative of this government in a part of Russia where a state of actual war prevails. First of all it is urgently requested that until a decision and adjustment is reached you will maintain absolute reticence regarding your desire to resign. Secondly, I hope you will bear in mind that in case you wish your resignation accepted it will be necessary to replace you in a natural and normal manner in order to prevent grave, and perhaps disastrous effect upon the morale of American troops in the Archangel district which might lead to loss of American lives.
I have repeated your telegram in full to the Secretary of State together with the text of these instructions to yourself. Please acknowledge these instructions promptly.”
I should be grateful if you will give this matter your serious consideration and advise me what further instructions should be issued to Mr. Poole.
I think any publicity at this time in connection with Poole’s resignation would have a very unfortunate effect both here and in Russia, unless President would wish to take this opportunity to issue some reassuring message to the Russian factions opposed to the Bolsheviks.