861.00/5269
The Russian Embassy to the Department of State
Aide Memoire
According to official information received at the Russian Embassy, the Representative of Esthonia in Paris has brought to the knowledge of the French Government and the Delegates of the Allied Powers that Esthonia, owing to reasons both of interior policy and of military nature, has been compelled to cease hostilities and come to a peace arrangement with the Bolshevist Government. The Esthonian Representative simultaneously expressed the hope that this new line of policy should not encounter the disapproval of the Allied Governments and that their benevolent attitude towards Esthonia should continue.
In reply to this the French Government has made the Representative of Esthonia understand that the Allies, being on hostile terms with Bolshevist Russia, the French Government could not remain indifferent to the fact of a peaceful settlement between Esthonia and the Soviet authorities and that such a radical change in the Esthonian [Page 711] orientation would undoubtedly be followed by an adequate alteration of Franco-Esthonian relations.
The Russian Ambassador with reference to the above mentioned is prompted to bring to the Attention of the United States Government the extreme seriousness of the situation created in the rear of General Yudenitch’s forces by this unexpected and independent move of the Esthonian Government. It is obvious than an agreement between Esthonia and Bolshevist Russia would strongly handicap the efforts now in progress to secure the development and the strengthening of the Russian anti-Bolshevist volunteer forces and consequently oppose the policy adopted by the United States Military authorities as expressed in General Bliss’s memorandum of July 4th,49 which only a few days ago was once more confirmed by granting the necessary tonnage for military supplies destined for General Yudenitch’s front.
The new situation calls for urgent action and the Russian Ambassador earnestly hopes the United States Government will cease all material and moral support of the actual Esthonian Government, in case of its agreement with the Soviet Authorities in Russia.