861.00/4180: Telegram
The Chargé in Russia (Poole) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received 7:51 p.m.]
1012. Department’s telegram number 563, March 29, 3 p.m., received. Dissatisfaction and unrest among the soldiers of the 339th Infantry came to a definite manifestation Saturday night when I Company refused for a time to return to duty at the front. The military attaché gives a detailed report in his 213, March 31, 4 p.m., to Mil[itary] staff and expresses fear that the trouble may not be ended. Colonel Stewart, with whom I have just spoken, seems disposed on the other hand to minimize the affair and says that, while the situation is no doubt serious, he believes that probably the worst has already happened. I have told him frankly that I cannot share this view. The information which comes to the Embassy concerning the men’s state of mind is not reassuring. I can hardly emphasize too strongly the immediate need for either, first, a statement from high authority at Washington or Paris somewhat in the sense indicated in the Embassy’s 858, March [February] 13, 5 p.m., or, second, authority to Colonel Stewart or the Embassy to announce that the order has been definitely given for the withdrawal of the 339th and will be executed as soon as possible and not later than June 30th. All agree that it is quite out of the question to leave the 339th here after that date at the very latest.
Murmansk reports that General Richardson is due to arrive there April 7th. The earliest he can then reach Archangel is the 17th.
All the French troops are now being withdrawn from the front, those not under guard will be used to construct inner defenses around Archangel.
The foregoing to Paris as 701 [71].