861.00/7790
The Russian Ambassador (Bakhmeteff) to the Acting Secretary of State
My Dear Mr. Polk: Acting upon your suggestion, I am recapit ulating in brief the reasons why, in my estimation, it is of the utmost importance that a declaration be made expressing the attitude of the United States toward Russia. I am bringing forth as well the [Page 452] main points which I think such a declaration should embody. I take advantage of the informal and personal character of this communication to express myself with all frankness.
It is unnecessary to conceal the fact that Russian national opinion has been to a great extent alienated lately from its former international affiliations. The state of mind of those Russians, who in all justice should be regarded as the nucleus of the future reconstructed national democracy, is becoming more and more confused and is approaching bewilderment and despair.
The prevailing feeling is that Russia has been treated not as an ally and a friend; that her contribution to the war is forgotten and her interests neglected. A partial de facto dismemberment of Russia may be followed by further compensations at her expense. Moreover, in so far as trade with Soviet Russia is concerned, events seem to lean toward a situation where expediency and prospects of immediate profit may thrust aside that what [which] is left of principles and lead to an accom[m]odation with the Bolsheviki.
This psychology is anything but fortunate, especially at this moment when all seems to indicate that the Bolsheviki power is outliving its temporary triumph, and undermined from within, is about to crumble. The danger, however, is increased to the utmost by the recent developments in Germany. It appears that the rather unstable equilibrium, which has characterised German political life for the last eighteen months, is at an end. Germany has entered upon a phase of eruptive activity. No matter which prevails, red or white, German foreign policy in the near future will be centered upon Russia.
Germany is apt to find a most propitious field in the bitterness fomenting in national Russia. Assuming the pose of community in misfortune, Germany may find a great opportunity in being able to advocate with apparent justification that Russia, abandoned by her former friends and associates, has no alternative bat to lay her hope of national reconstruction in an affiliation with her former enemy.
I wish to emphasise, in order that all misapprehension may be avoided, that the deliberate pro-German element in Russia is extremely small and probably limited to an insignificant group of irresponsible reactionaries and ultramilitarists. Since the Bolsheviki revolution, Russian constructive opinion has maintained loyalty to her alliances and has heavily paid for this allegiance. An anti-Allied orientation is not a natural line of conduct but one into which Russia may be forcibly driven by shortsightedness and opportunistic politicianism.
It is my earnest and cherished hope that the United States will act at this crucial moment. There must be established a center around [Page 453] which Russian national opinion could crystallize in the hope of a fair and sympathetic treatment and the vindication of Russia’s cause through an affiliation with a great and friendly power. This should be the specific purpose of an eventual declaration.
Regarding the substance of the announcement, it should be made clear that in its attitude toward Russia, America is not prompted by selfish interests, desire of immediate profits nor pressing exigencies of political character,—that America is actuated by genuine sympathy toward the Russian people, whose contribution to the war is appreciated and who is regarded as an associate and a friend. Deploring the unhappy present of Russia’s struggle for liberty, it is, however, considered to be but a passing phase. Faith in the ultimate restoration of Russia, revealing the real genius of the people. Russia an indispensable factor of world stability and return to prosperity. America’s policy guided by the prospect of permanent, friendly relation with a restored Russia, based on common aim of durable peace and economic progress.
The following points should be lucidly accentuated:
- 1.
- Unreserved repudiation, in their very essence, of the principles of Bolshevism as incompatible with the American doctrine. America refusing to recognize or deal with the Bolsheviki, irrespective of their temporary triumph.
- 2.
- The satisfying of Russia’s righteous interests and aspirations in the final post-war settlement as a matter of justice and a prerequisite to permanence and stability in the future relations between peoples. A restored Russia entitled to the whole of her national domain, the preservation of Russia’s territorial integrity and national unity a matter of trust and good-fellowship toward a copartner in the war.
Outside of all arguments, I wish to convey to you my personal, deepest conviction that an undelayed announcement of its attitude toward Russia by the United States is of extreme, perhaps imperative importance. I feel it most keenly and I know I am right. It is a great opportunity which should not be missed. It will not only serve as a rallying point for constructive Russian nationalism, but will certainly have a most beneficial effect on European politics.
I am [etc.]