Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1919, Russia

Paris Peace Conference 861.00/631

The Russian Ambassador to the United States (Bakhmeteff) to the Secretary of State⁴⁴

Paris, May 10, 1919.

My Dear Mr. Secretary: I am forwarding to you herewith a paraphrase of a cable from Omsk relative to the position of the American Expeditionary Force in Siberia of which I made mention the other day during our conversation.

I take this opportunity as well to present certain complementary remarks on the same subject, based on different communications from Siberia.

It appears first of all, that, while in Siberia proper, West of Baikal, the general situation is rapidly improving largely due to the undivided support which the Omsk authorities are receiving from the reconstituted democratic Zemstvos and municipalities, the conditions in the Far East are still not entirely satisfactory. This is explainable, to a great extent, by the specific conditions prevailing in the Far Eastern territories of Russia with its heterogenous population, the abundance of all kind of migrations unsettled elements, certain foreign influences, etc. These conditions create an atmosphere propitious for activities of undesirable and insubordinate elements, which lead to eventual riots and outbursts generally in the form of Bolshevik uprisings.

As you know, the bolsheviks do not represent a regular political party in the ordinary sense of the word, applying usual peaceful means of propaganda or persuasion. The bolsheviks try to reach their ends by open riot, their immediate and undissimulated aim being the overthrow of the existing authorities and seizure of power by violence. Evidently no Government which means to preserve its authority can afford to tolerate activities deliberately aiming at its overthrowal, and it is an obvious duty of a Government to quell such outbursts with a firm hand.

You may imagine what a precarious situation is created under such circumstances by the very suspicion that troops of a friendly Power which are supposed to pursue the preservance of order remain neutral and inactive towards such direct anti-governmental action, or more so through certain indisciplined elements give the appearance of support.

The most deplorable part of all this is that misunderstanding and alienation is created between the Russians and the Americans, facts which are deeply resented by all responsible Russians.

I earnestly hope that you will appreciate the situation and will find possible means to alleviate it. It seems that this could be done either by giving the American troops suitable instructions or by assigning them to such localities or services where the very occasion for complications might be eliminated. The Omsk authorities on their part have emphasized their most sincere desire to meet any arrangements which could solve these problems on the line of friendly cooperation.

I would greatly appreciate, my dear Mr. Lansing, if you would let me know of the dispositions which you judged best to take, and I remain [etc.]

B. Bakhmeteff

[Enclosure—Telegram—Paraphrase]

The Omsk Government to the Russian Ambassador to the United States (Bakhmeteff)

April 24, 1919.

Bolshevik outbursts have recently taken place in the Amour Province in regions occupied by American troops. The American Expeditionary Force in Siberia does not appear to possess definite instructions with regard to the line of conduct in case of eventual riots.

The American Command apparently treats the Bolsheviks as a political party of ordinary character. Besides, the American troops in Siberia contain a considerable number of Russian immigrants, partly of Jewish extraction, favorising extremist tendencies. All this is helping anti-governmental activities and is creating a situation extremely serious and complicated.

It would be highly important to draw, in the most friendly way, the attention of the United States authorities to these conditions. The Government is extremely anxious to prevent any development of unfriendly feeling towards American contingents. It is endeavouring to create mutual understanding and friendliness. Would it not be possible that General Graves be given instructions which would determine with precision the line of conduct towards Bolshevik riots? Also could not certain elements in the American Force be replaced by men more disciplined and having no affiliation with Russian political strife?

Embarrassment is also caused by the fact that movements of the United States troops and their assignment to that or other duties eventually take place without the cognizance of the Russians. It is extremely desirable that such movements should be effected upon agreement with the Russian authorities.

44. Both temporarily at Paris.