861.00/4849
The Secretary-General of the Commission to Negotiate Peace ( Grew ) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received July 15.]
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that Mr. Bakmetieff came to see Mr. McCormick to inquire as to the interpretation of certain clauses of the Associated Governments’ telegram of May 27th [26th] to Admiral Koltchak, specifically in regard to the question of nationalities. Mr. Bakmetieff said that his interpretation of these clauses was the following and desired to know if the American Government interpreted them in the same manner.
- “Point 4 of these clauses treats of the independence of Poland and Finland.
- “Point 5 covers the general question of other nationalities on the territory of the former Russian Empire. In full concurrence with the views of the Russian Government, the Powers are contemplating the future of these nationalities established on just and firm foundations of autonomous development. At the same time the [Page 386] wording of the document appears to confirm the principle of Russian unity as a whole. Autonomous development is to be assured within the boundaries of the reconstituted Russian State with proper arrangements guaranteeing the rights of the nationalities but without prejudice to the sovereignty and unity of Russia.”
Mr. McCormick consulted the President, who replied that such was his interpretation of the clauses in question.
I have [etc.]