Office of the Historian

861.00/3727: Telegram

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

Archangel, January 27, 1919, 6 p.m.
[Received January 28, 8:40 a.m.]

799. Continuing 786, January 24, 7 p.m. Evacuation of Shenkursk successfully accomplished yesterday. Sick and wounded and greater part of supplies brought out as well as 500 civilian refugees. Behaviour of Russian troops excellent. Refugees arriving later report that Bolsheviki revolutionary forces destroyed part of town and murdered many inhabitants. News having depressing effect on population and the Provisional Government much disturbed. Evacuation continues northward toward Beresnik.

The enemy has attacked so far unsustained [unsuccessfully?] at two other points. In response to urgent recommendations of Ironside, British War Office has directed commanding general at Murmansk to be prepared to despatch to Archangel one battalion of infantry, 1,000 ski, snow shoe, and similar troops [equipment?], and one machine-gun company. With expedition these certain to be gotten on to the Archangel front at the end of a month.

Foregoing to Paris as number 22 same date.

Poole