861.00/4961: Telegram
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Davis) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4:43 p.m.]
2687. From [Cole at] Archangel.
1357. August 2, 5 p.m. General Ironside informs me that his evacuation of Archangel will begin the last week in August and will be complete by September 30th. He expects to take the Provisional Government with him and to move out as many loyal Russians as would be in danger if left behind. A battalion of troops from England will reach here soon to garrison and patrol this city, as serious local trouble may be expected during withdrawal. As stated in the first paragraph of my 1343, 152, July 24, 5 p.m.,47 and in third of my 1339, 150, July 22, 6 p.m.,48 Ironside’s authority will be supreme [Page 645] as soon as he begins to withdraw his front lines. From that moment on, the presence here of the consulates and embassies will be useless and they should then leave taking all nationals with them. The British Chargé already has instructions to evacuate his Embassy whenever he sees fit. No foodstuffs will be removed and therefore the Richmond should not proceed to Archangel. It is desirable that the Des Moines should remain here until the Embassy departs. Cole.