861.00/5702: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Commission to Negotiate Peace
3844. Your 5280. Please note following and repeat to Gade, in reply to his No. 7, November 17, 8 p.m.:
“Department does not desire you to make known to the Foreign Minister of Latvia in any formal way its point of view with respect to peace with the Bolsheviki as this might imply an obligation on our part to Latvia in case it should shape its policy accordingly. You are aware of the attitude of reserve which we have adopted with respect to the Baltic independence movements.
In discussing the matter informally and personally with the Foreign Minister of Latvia you may, however, make plain to him what should be obvious, namely, that this Government could not do other [Page 743] wise than advise against any attempt at a compromise with the Bolsheviki. The experience of this Government has convinced it that it is not practicable for non-Bolshevik governments to deal with the Bolsheviks.
The ultimate purpose of the latter is to overturn all non-Bolshevik governments and seeming compromises which they may make with these are presumably but temporary and tactical expedients.”