861.00/4842: Telegram
The Chargé in Russia (Cole) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received July 12, 7:10 a.m.]
1315. 140 to Paris. Admiral McCully left July 9 on an eagle boat. The Yankton, Sacramento and three submarine chasers had left previously. It is understood that the Crosswell [cruiser] Des Moines and two eagles will remain until the departure of the railway engineers, who will sail from Murmansk soon after the 12th.
I realize that the decision to remove all military units without replacement is final and that the withdrawal of our naval forces is in consonance therewith but I wish to make an urgent plea that one cruiser be allowed to remain at least for some time after the departure of the engineers. It is immaterial whether that cruiser be the Des Moines or another or smaller one. I understand the Navy was under strict instructions to take no part in war operations and should the Des Moines remain some time longer than is now expected her presence at anchor in the port of Archangel would not imply any such participation.
It was inevitable that the withdrawal of American forces should be used by the Bolsheviks as propaganda in two directions, as is already being done. First, Bolsheviks assert to loyal Russians that their friends are abandoning them and that they should therefore desert across the Bolshevik front or work in Archangel for the Bolshevik cause secretly. Second, it is stated that the withdrawals prove that America, the most liberal and democratic of the Associated Powers, disapproves of the “reactionary and monarchists” Provisional Government. This propaganda is strengthened by the rapidity with which the withdrawals follow one another. The mere presence of an American cruiser would greatly tend to diminish the force of Bolshevik propaganda.
We have given the Provisional Government in the past extensive support through our military forces, through our food shipments and through the sympathetic interest taken in all its affairs. The members of the Government can not personally and openly bring [Page 638] it to my attention but through other sources I am fully aware there is in its midst a feeling that it is being “let down” by the United States in an undeserved way. Mr. Poole’s telegrams 1017, April 2, 3 p.m.,39 paragraph three, and 1074, April 15, 6 p.m.,40 last two paragraphs, have indicated the growth of morale in this region both amongst Russian soldiers and among the populace. It is inevitable that this democratic and regenerating movement should be chilled by the rapidity of American withdrawals as mentioned above. The mere presence of an American cruiser in the harbor would do much to allay criticism and to prevent the rancor of those who consider themselves “let down”.
About one thousand French troops are expected to arrive as well as further British detachments. Our absence will again be thrown into relief. Admiral Kolchak’s defeat and the consequent probable failure of the military expedition toward Kotlas is likely to make the Government’s position extremely difficult. If the Des Moines were to remain or be replaced it would be an appreciated reminder of the sympathy we have shown the Archangel Government since the beginning and which I trust still exists.