861.00/6184: Telegram
The High Commissioner at Constantinople (Bristol) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 21—11:50 a.m.]
43. Following from Admiral McCully.
“1. Section 1. January 18, 11 p.m. Arrived Novorossiisk December 17th on the United States Ship Biddle finding in port British cruiser Concord, French gunboats Algol and Escaut, Italian cruiser [Page 575] Etna and 15 merchant vessels including one American. British battleship Benbow with General Milne aboard arrived today and Iron Duke with Admiral de Robeck expected tomorrow. Made necessary calls on officials ashore and expect to proceed to General Denikin’s headquarters in Ekaterinodar (January?) 22nd. General Wrangel left Novorossiisk for the front today. Novorossiisk flooded with refugees and local conditions unsettled, uprisings from the disaffected elements in the town and attacks from disorderly bands in outskirts. British have about 500 troops available. Possibly Russians have about 2000 more but latter cannot be expected to remain. British General Keyes in command ashore published notice today that British Government would assume the responsibility for evacuation of wounded and of wives and families of [officers?].”