861.00/3952: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in Russia ( Poole )
507. For your information the following letter addressed by the Secretary of War to Chairmen of Senate and House Military Committees and made public in the press February 18th:
“I have just received a cablegram from General Bliss, sent by the President’s direction, in which I am told that the President has approved the sending of two American railway companies to Murmansk for the following objects:
- 1st,
- to assure greater safety during this winter of the Allied forces both along Murmansk and at Archangel and south of Archangel.
- 2d,
- the much better supply and, if necessary, the reinforcement from Murmansk of the advance detachments south of Murmansk and Archangel.
- 3d,
- to facilitate the prompt withdrawal of American and Allied troops in North Russia at the earliest possible moment that weather conditions in the spring will permit.
The President has directed me to communicate the foregoing to the heads of the Allied governments which I have done. The President desires that his action and the reasons for it be communicated to the military committees of the Senate and House for their information.
In addition to the above General Bliss tells me that the British Government is sending a force of about 2,400 men to Murmansk, and that they have requested the cooperation of the President to the extent of two companies of railway troops, above referred to. The desire for the railway troops is based upon the fact that supplies and reinforcements for Archangel during the winter have to go by railroad south from Murmansk to a point near the southern extreme of the White Sea, and that the operation of this railroad is believed by the British to be absolutely necessary to guarantee the prompt movement of reinforcements and supplies to Archangel and the troops south of Archangel.
General Bliss also informs me that the British military authorities do not feel any apprehension as to the military situation at Archangel.
[Page 618]In accordance with the direction of the President, I transmit this information to the Senate committee on military affairs.”