861.01/78

The Secretary-General of the Commission to Negotiate Peace (Grew) to the Acting Secretary of State

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that Mr. Bakmatieff requested Mr. McCormick to obtain for him answers to the following questions:

1.
Does the condition, which has resulted from the exchange of cables between the Big Five and Admiral Koltchak, amount to a de facto recognition of a Russian Government with which the U. S. Government will enter into regular relations?
2.
Will the U. S. Government accredit agents at Omsk? If so of what character and in what capacities?
3.
Will the U. S. Government be prepared to accept the signature of the representatives of the Russian Government on obligations of financial character?
4.
Will the U. S. Government be prepared to permit the disposal of credits, opened in time to the Russian Government, but closed after the fall of the Government in November 1917?
5.
Will the American troops in Siberia cooperate with the Russian authorities in their purpose of restoring law and orderly conditions of life? Will instructions be given to the American command to this effect?
6.
The Powers having expressed their decision to render assistance to the Government of Koltchak and his associates so that it may establish itself as the Government of all Russia, by what means and through which instrumentalities will this purpose be achieved?

Mr. Bakmatieff [McCormick?] took the matter up with the President, who replied as follows:

  • No. 1. No.
  • No. 2. Not at present.
  • No. 3. No.
  • No. 4. No.
  • No. 5. Probably.
  • No. 6. No decision having been arrived at no answer was given.

Mr. McCormick did not inform Mr. Bakmatieff of the specific answers to these questions but merely gave him a general reply as to the American interpretation of the telegrams to Koltchak.

I have [etc.]

J. C. Grew