861.48/924
The Russian Ambassador (Bakhmeteff) to the Secretary of State
My Dear Mr. Secretary: I wish to bring to your attention the situation as it has lately developed around Petrograd and in the Baltic provinces and which is becoming for Russian Nationalists a cause of greatest anxiety.
As you are aware, anti-Bolshevik action in these regions was primarily concentrated mostly within Esthonia, Esthonian forces being complemented by certain rather small Russian contingents. During the last months, however, the arena of anti-Bolshevik action has very greatly increased and in particular the Russian anti-Bolshevik forces have gained both in size and in importance.
In Latvia, around Libau and Riga, a Russian detachment has been formed under the leadership of Prince Lieven. At the same time General Rodzianko and Colonel Balachovitch have succeeded in greatly developing the so-called Russian Northern Army Corps and have achieved marked results by practically bringing their offensive to the very approaches of Petrograd. Their activities have been considerably handicapped throughout by lack of supplies. A certain amount of munitions have been furnished by the English, while Prince Lieven was obliged, in a critical moment, to accept arms from the Germans.
It is difficult to state precisely the exact number of these forces. A few weeks ago they numbered about twenty-five thousand men. [Page 697] It has been made clear, however, and in particular from American sources, that with adequate supply of arms and munitions these contingents would substantially increase.
Greatest encouragement to the whole enterprise has been given lately by the generous assistance of the American Relief Organization, while already for some time, food was supplied by the Americans to the liberated regions. Mr. Hoover had ultimately agreed to conclude a formal arrangement with the Russian representatives in Paris, accepting payment for food delivered to the Russian forces in the Baltic in the form of obligations of Admiral Kolchak’s Government.
The distribution of victuals being under the control of General Youdenitch, appointed by Admiral Kolchak as Commander in chief of the Russian forces in the Northwest, it is food which has greatly contributed to the success of the national forces and has led to a decomposition of the Bolsheviki lines.
The American military authorities in Paris have been very apprehensive to the whole situation in the Baltic regions, and have been most emphatic in the opinion that a firm military policy is called for and that immediate support and strengthening of the Russian Volunteer and anti-Bolshevik forces is required. An exchange of correspondence between General Bliss and myself is attached hereto.33
The question of supplies, in particular, has been discussed with the Chairman of the Liquidation Committee, Judge Parker having stated that, in case the military and political authorities would advise him of the desirability of supplying materials from the stocks in France, he would not foresee an unsurmountable difficulty to making proper business arrangements.
In the last days the whole situation has become very acute, a report from London having reached the Embassy stating that, under present conditions, the British War Office could scarcely extend assistance both to General Denikine’s and to General Youdenitch’s armies and that for this reason the support proposed in time to General Youdenitch would have to be considerably reduced. A cable from General Hermonius, Chief of Foreign Supply, to the Russian armies, emphasizes the critical position into which the forces around the Baltic are thus placed, and indicates that the only way to solve the difficulty is to obtain the necessary materials from the United States. The General estimates the number of men for which supplies have to be provided as at least fifty thousand. He states that the army is increasing from day to day and with the [Page 698] capture of Petrograd might easily reach one hundred and twenty thousand men.
I scarcely need to explain of what paramount importance for the whole cause of the liberation and pacification of Russia would be an eventual capture of Petrograd and successful development of anti-Bolshevik action around the Baltic. There is scarcely at this moment any other feature which would more effectively contribute to the attainment of the ends exposed in the correspondence of the Powers with Admiral Kolchak.
A great deal, if not most, of the military materials required could be supplied from American stocks in France, if only the United States Government would direct that transactions should be passed between Judge Parker and representatives of Admiral Kolchak on relatively liberal conditions.
General Bliss is in direct contact with the Russian representatives in Paris and there could easily be ascertained which materials could be sent from France and which it would be necessary to supply from this side of the water. Besides there would be no difficulty in establishing with the Russian authorities in Paris the whole outline of concrete measures, necessary for the fulfillment of the plan.
I take the liberty, while presenting this case, of emphasising with all earnestness the extreme urgency of the whole matter and hope you will find it possible to give the question your favorable consideration.
Believe me [etc.]