861.00/6984: Telegram
The High Commissioner at Constantinople (Bristol) to the Secretary of State
353. Following from Admiral McCully, Sevastopol:
“56. June 3, 8 p.m. Your 56 [57].18 There is no intention on the part of South Russian forces to attack Odessa and no pressing from British to make them do so. However if Ukrainians will also attack Odessa or Kherson or Nikolaief General Wrangel is ready to assist them with his naval forces. According to information here capture of Odessa would not be difficult but would depend principally on strength of Ukrainians. It is not thought by the Russians here that [Page 602] Petliura is very strong amongst his own people or he would have taken Odessa some time ago, the Red garrison there being weak and composed only of local Bolsheviks. General Wrangel’s policy is this, not cooperate in a military way with the Poles or with any other anti-Bolshevik forces, to refrain from interference with territory occupied by other anti-Bolshevik military forces and to concern himself only with territory occupied by his own troops. He does not wish to commit himself to settlement of political frontiers at this time.
June 3, 7 p.m. In regard to British demand to begin negotiations with Soviets. In my number 55 of June 1st General Wrangel states that he is resolved, at whatever cost, not to enter into such negotiations, as he cannot trust in good faith of Bolsheviks. He is now considering answer to British proposals and realizes that categorical refusal means definite withdrawal of British from South Russian affairs, a suitable occasion for doing so having been long sought by them. This will leave Wrangel in a very difficult position as regards oil and coal for fuel, military supplies, and food, conditions regarding which grow more serious daily, so that his answer may be an attempt to temporize. Japanese have sent one cargo coal but British furnish no more supplies although British naval vessels continue to lend support in operation about Kertch. British mission here is being reduced and by end of June is expected to include only a few officers. Lieutenant General Mangin head of French mission is ordered to return to France and leaves with staff June 4th but in Crimea will be left mission consisting of two subordinate officers.
June 3, 8 p.m. General Wrangel’s forces are now in good shape and an offensive will probably take place soon to try to improve food conditions. As a serious operation such a movement in my opinion seems premature and could only be justified by a well founded belief in near approach of collapse of Soviet government, of which no indications here. Besides forces so employed would have great difficulty in establishing contact with other anti-Bolshevik forces and without British or other support would undoubtedly soon suffer from lack of military supplies. At root of all Wrangel’s difficulties is financial question, indicated by fact that 15,000 roubles must now be paid for one pound sterling when a month ago rate was only 6,000 roubles. If economic and financial conditions could be ameliorated the Crimea could be held indefinitely and form point from which a decisive blow could be struck at Soviet rule when time is opportune. Military features of this message discussed with United States military observer who is in agreement. McCully.”