861.00/4299: Telegram
The Chargé in Russia (Poole) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received April 16, 6:08 a.m.]
1074. 89 to Paris. Continuing my 1017, April 2, 3 p.m. General Ironside is informed that the British replacement forces will arrive at Archangel at the earliest date ice will permit, probably early in May. The British communiqué has mentioned two brigades. Ironside says he has not been informed of their composition or strength. Four hundred aviation personnel are coming. The French Government has communicated a definite decision to send one [omission] of infantry to replace the French troops now here and green personnel for three batteries of artillery. It has informed the British Government that it sends these troops in order to demonstrate “complete solidarity.”
Ironside insists that he is without definite instructions from London concerning policy but there seems to have been approval of the plan discussed in my 1017 to help troops of the northern government to perfect the union with Siberia. Ironside says that the logical development of this policy will be to advance on Keutishlas [Kotlas] as promptly as possible.
The ice up river begins to show signs of breaking. Gunboats are in readiness at Archangel to proceed as soon as possible to the support of the land forces in the region of Beresnik but by reason of the ice break upstream these forces will be exposed to gunboat attack by the Bolsheviki for probably a fortnight before the gunboats from Archangel can arrive.
Improvement in the situation on the railway front reported in the Embassy’s 1043, April 8, 3 p.m.,31 becomes permanent [apparent], the thaw making movements on the flanks impracticable. The successful handling of the Bolshevik attacks is reported to have helped the morale of our men.
[Page 629]The Russian forces now number more than 14,000 and continue to earn praise for their conduct in action.
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