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

861.00/3743: Telegram

The Chargé in Russia (Poole) to the Acting Secretary of State

Archangel, January 27, 1919, 4 p.m.
[Received January 28, 10:14 a.m.]

794. The following are answers to questions 2, 3 and 4 in the Department’s unnumbered January 24, 2 p.m. For answer to first question, see my telegram 793, January 27, 3 p.m.

• Second question: Having ascertained that the new Omsk Government is really democratic, Archangel Government including Tchaykowski,⁸ who wished at first to protest against Siberian coup d’état,⁹ professes full sympathy and an earnest desire to effect union and begin active cooperation. Completion of wireless station here next month is considered first step.
• Third: Military disasters reported in Embassy’s 786, January 24, 7 p.m., place Provisional Government and the Allies in this region distinctly on the defensive, excluding for the present thought of offensive campaign. Military plan of Provisional Government calls for mobilization and training of as many troops as possible. About 6,000 Russian infantry and four batteries now under arms out of a theoretical mobilization able [mobilizable] maximum of 15,000 in this region. Ironside expects to have 10,000 end of March. Second feature program, equipment and leading of partisan detachments, which number at present about 2,000. When well led, these detachments do good work. Popular subscriptions now being taken for their maintenance.
• Fourth: Cole¹⁰ tells me that there was real enthusiasm for the Archangel Government before the September coup d’état, which unfortunate event did much to cool the popular ardor. Mr. Francis’¹¹ action at this time restored Tchaykowski, who personifies the Government to the people and stands for democracy. His continued headship and the restraint exercised upon the reactionary elements by the American and other European nations, have prevented the trend toward reaction noted in 770, January 22, 6 p.m.¹² from developing too markedly. The result is rather lukewarm though real approval of the present Government by the large majority of the people in the region over which it exercises authority, warmth of approval varying directly or indirectly in the measure of the seeming democracy of the Government. The reestablishment of the orderly processes of justice and administration meets as it proceeds an increasing appreciation on the part of this majority. The general development recently has been favorable. Uncertainty now enters momentarily, at least one [or?] two events which from the point of view of the Government are very bad: the evacuation of Shenkursk; despatches [and the?] decision of the Peace Conference that it is possible to treat with the Bolsheviki. Members of the Government we observe weathering grave misgivings, but it is too early to feel the popular reaction. Concerning unsatisfactory finances of the Provisional Government, see Embassy’s 744, January 15 [12], 7 p.m.¹²

Foregoing to Paris as 201 [21] same date.

Poole

8. Nicholas V. Chaikovski, president of the Provisional Government of the Northern Region.
9. Foreign Relations, 1918, Russia, vol. ii, pp. 573–574.
10. Felix Cole, Consul at Archangel.
11. David R. Francis, Ambassador in Russia.
12. Not printed.
12. Not printed.