861.00/4254: Telegram
The Chargé in Russia (Poole) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received April 10, 2:23 a.m.]
1053. To Paris as 79. With reference my telegram 1010, March 31, 5 p.m.27 If there has been no recent definition of policy can you let me know confidentially your present views respecting the north Russian situation? Has the Provisional Government now, and do you think it will continue to have, your moral support? What is the purpose of sending a larger naval force to these waters? Is it intended to leave the railway troops here after the 339th Infantry goes, or (to send?) any other special troops? Would you object to the railway troops being used while they are here to prepare an anti-Bolshevik offensive by the Allies or Russians? These questions are intended only to suggest the need felt by the Embassy for confidential directive advice if definite instructions are not yet possible. I am faced with a concrete problem in the case of the Y.M.C.A. In connection with shipments of supplies and disposition of personnel they must now determine the policy they will follow after June. In case all or practically all the American forces are to be withdrawn they would not care to continue their activities here unless especially requested by the Embassy to do so on the ground that the Government of the United States desires to give moral, if not material, support to the Russian and any other troops which might be engaged in fighting the Bolsheviki. I am informed that, failing this, but few of their secretaries would be willing to remain simply for the sake of the good which they might do for the Russians in a general humanitarian way. The moral importance of the work of the Y.M.C.A. can hardly be over-emphasized. It would be very undesirable to let them withdraw from this field in case we are to have a continued interest in Russian development along the lines represented by the northern region.
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