761.93/131

The Russian Chargé (Bach) to the Secretary of State

My Dear Mr. Secretary: In the absence of the Ambassador, I have the honor to enclose herewith a memorandum concerning certain acts of the Chinese Government which have recently taken place in violation of the Russian-Chinese-Mongolian Agreement of 1915, and I beg to assure you that the Russian Government would deeply appreciate it if the United States Government would render its valuable assistance to the effect that the rights emanating from the Agreement be respected and the freedom and self-determination of the Mongolian people guaranteed.

I avail myself [etc.]

Henry de Bach
[Enclosure]

The Russian Embassy to the Department of State

Memorandum

With reference to a memorandum submitted to the Department of State by the Russian Embassy with its note of March 21, 1919, relating to certain acts of the Chinese Government affecting Russian interests, the Russian Embassy has been informed that recently China openly violated the Russian-Chinese-Mongolian Agreement of 1915, and has declared the reunion of outer Mongolia to China. The Chinese military commander having sent his troops into Ourga and under threat of arrests forced the Mongolian ministers and a number of princes to sign a petition demanding that Mongolia be taken under Chinese administration. The Hutukhta refused to counter-sign this document and is supported in his opposition to this act by all the priests and a greater part of the population. At a preliminary discussion of the question with the representatives of [Page 758] the population only one-half of a single Aimak revealed itself in favor of such action. The lower House also resolved not to permit the annulment of Mongolian autonomy and to defend itself by force.

The Russian Government protests against such violation by the Chinese Government of the Agreement of 1915, and requests that the friendly Powers render their assistance to the effect that the rights emanating from the Agreement be respected and the freedom and self-determination of the Mongolian people guaranteed.