861.00/6983: Telegram

The High Commissioner at Constantinople (Bristol) to the Secretary of State

349. Following from Admiral McCully [,Sevastopol].

55. June 1, 8 p.m. Following is message dated May 29 from British Commander in Chief, General Milne, to head of British Mission Sevastopol:

“You will send the following communication to General Wrangel in writing on behalf of the High Commissioner and no conversations on the subject will take place between you and General Wrangel.

‘The British Government instructs me to make it clear to General Wrangel that he must not expect another phase in British policy as a result of the Polish offensive.16 His Majesty’s Government is determined to endeavor to bring hostilities in South Russia to a close as soon as possible. The Soviets have accepted British proposals for negotiations on the basis of general amnesty. Lord Curzon is replying that he is anxious for the negotiations to begin with as little delay as possible.

‘The British Government considers that the negotiations should be carried out in South Russia. His Majesty’s Government has asked me what I consider is a suitable place for these negotiations and I shall be glad to [inform it of] General Wrangel’s opinion on the matter. I am instructed to explain to General Wrangel that he is not being left to negotiate alone with the Soviet Government. Lord Curzon is sending out a political officer as soon as possible to assist General Wrangel and meanwhile the Soviet Government has agreed to the participation of the British military representative.’”

[Bristol]
  1. Telegram in two sections.
  2. For papers dealing with the Polish-Russian war, see pp. 370 ff.