861.00/5259
The Russian Ambassador to the United States (Bakhmeteff), temporarily at Paris, to General Tasker H. Bliss of the Commission to Negotiate Peace
Memorandum for General Bliss, U.S.A.
Replying to the memorandum of General Bliss of July 4th and with reference to the conversation between the General and Mr. Bakhmeteff of July 3rd.
It is noted, that the approaching withdrawal of the German forces from the Baltic Provinces and the critical situation in these regions call, in the opinion of the U.S. military authorities, for a firm military and political policy in order to maintain the anti-bolshevik front. That to this effect, besides financing, organizing and supporting the anti-bolshevist forces in the Baltic provinces and Lithuania, the military situation requires immediate support and strengthening of the Russian Volunteer Forces acting in the Baltic region. It is further understood that while proposing to assist the anti-bolshevist forces in Esthonia, Lithuania and Latvia, the United States authorities consider these Provinces as a part of Russia, it being contrary to the intentions of the United States to encourage by any action the dismemberment of Russia.
It is understood as well that it is the intention of the United States Government, while rendering such assistance to proceed in [Page 685] conformity with the aims and views of Admiral Koltchak’s Government.
The following reply, covering the questions referred to in General Bliss’s Memorandum, is given upon consultation with Mr. Sazonow, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Admiral Koltchak’s Government as well as General Tcherbatcheff, chief Russian military representative in Paris:
(a) The representatives of Admiral Koltchak’s Government fully concur with the opinion that the general situation round the Baltic calls for an efficient policy in order to support and develop anti-bolshevist action in these regions. Especially the Russian authorities are convinced that the most important operation at the present moment consists in the capture of Petrograd and the relief of the city and its vicinity from Bolshevik occupation.
(b) With this in view it is necessary to provide the forces actually combatting Bolshevism or which might possibly be organized for this purpose with munition, clothing and food. Assistance should be given to the Russian Volunteer formations and to the Esthonian, Lithuanian and Leth [Lett] forces, in so far as these latter are combatting Bolshevism. It is especially imperative to supply without further delay the forces combatting round Petrograd and more so, to enable the formation of further contingents both on the South littoral and the Gulf of Finland as in Finland itself.
Arrangements are to be made as well which would provide food and other essentials to the population of the regions liberated from the Bolsheviks.
(c) To render military operations efficient it is essential to establish the principle of unity of front on the whole line from the former German frontier to Petrograd. Unity of front would mean coordination of all military operations as well as unified direction of supply and relief. General Youdenitch has been nominated by Admiral Koltchak Commander in Chief of the anti-Bolshevist forces in the North-Western regions of Russia.
General Youdenitch’s Head-Quarters at present are in Helsingfors. A special British military Mission is cooperating with General Youdenitch, with General Gough at its head. Practical measures necessary to achieve unity of front and to coordinate activities connected with the assistance within the Baltic regions, can be easily agreed to by establishing direct contact with General Youdenitch, on place.
General Rodzianko and Prince Lieven are operating under General Youdenitch’s supreme command. All possible assistance should be given to these military leaders as well as to any others appointed [Page 686] by General Youdenitch or recognizing his authority. Attention is drawn to the precarious position of General Rodzianko’s forces owing to inadequacy of supply and outnumbering Bolshevist forces.
As to Prince Lieven’s Detachment, it is imperative that this contingent would rely on sources of supply from Allied or Associated Powers.
The Chief Military Representative of Admiral Koltchak’s Government in Paris, General Tcherbatcheff (H.Q., 4 Rue Christophe Colomb) is prepared to submit to the United States military authorities in Paris details as to the military situation and as to the requirements in the regions in question.
(d) Admiral Koltchak’s Government will be prepared to assume liabilities towards the U. S. Government resulting from delivery of munitions, materials and food to the anti-bolshevist forces, both Russian Volunteer and eventually Esthonian, Leth or Lithuanian. Representatives of Admiral Koltchak’s Government will be pleased to consider any practical proposals emanating from the United States authorities to this effect and will be prepared to execute such documents and sign such obligations as would be considered necessary for this purpose.
(e) The Government of Admiral Koltchak will be gratified with all assistance in munitions and supply which will be given to the anti-bolshevist forces and to the populations of the Baltic Provinces and Lithuania, provided it is made clear to all the national authorities in these provinces that this assistance is not to be construed as prejudicing in any way the unity of Russia and will not be used to encourage separatist movements or to foster interracial strife.
(f) As to the assurances regarding the future autonomy of Esthonia, Lithuania and Latvia, attention is drawn to Admiral Koltchak’s reply of July [June] 4th to the Allied and Associated Powers24 in which the chief of the Provisional Russian Government announced the views of this Government relative to autonomous arrangement of the various nationalities as well as reiterated the equality before law in Russia of all classes and citizens without distinction of origin or religion.
The Allied and Associated Powers have thus obtained a solemn pledge with regard to the future authonomous arrangement of Esthonia, Lithuania and Latvia. These privileges are to be incorporated in the future Constitution of Russia which is to be drawn by a Constituent Assembly freely elected by all citizens of Russia. Before the Constituent is assembled there can be possibly no authority in Russia which could pass final decisions on these matters.
[Page 687]There is no difficulty, however, in outlining, in a general way what is generally understood in Russia under “autonomous arrangement” and what in all certainty will constitute in great lines the substance of self-government which the nationalities will enjoy under the future Russian Constitution.
Under autonomous arrangement is generally understood Provincial Self-Government; exemplified in a Provincial Legislative Assembly and a Provincial Executive. These bodies dealing with the whole field of internal organization and Provincial administration with the exception of such functions which belong to the competency of the State as a whole. As such one may mention: International Relations; State Finance (except Provincial taxation and expenditure); Army and Navy; Customs; General Regulations of Industry, Trade and Labor; Civil and Criminal Code (except local particularities); High Courts of Justice; Post and Telegraph; Main Railways, Waterways, and Port Terminals.