861.00/7252: Telegram
The High Commissioner at Constantinople (Bristol) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 18—5:30 a.m.]
The Russian delegate of Wrangel in Constantinople called especially to express much satisfaction regarding the demands of circular [Page 612] of August 10th22 giving statement of the facts on the situation presented by Russian advance into Poland, etc. From information received here independently and in addition information from McCully indicating American prestige stands high in Russia both Bolshevik and anti-Bolshevik. The action of our Government in opening up trade with Soviet Russia and by issuing Department’s circular of August 10th will increase this prestige unless the acts should be misconstrued to indicate that we were joining with the European countries in such action. From direct information, especially close to Wrangel, it is my belief that action of French in recognizing Wrangel is looked upon with suspicion. Information not confirmed that British and French representatives have proceeded to Crimea for conference with Wrangel and at this conference a proposition will be made to supply Wrangel with munitions of war and grant him American credit and in return the British and French would have monopoly of trade in raw materials from Wrangel territory. This indicates England and France again intriguing for monopoly of trade in the same way that they intrigued when assisting Denikin. Such action will injure Wrangel’s cause. The Russians are a family fighting among themselves that will all turn on any outsider that interferes. Thus, long ago it was known that all Russians were opposed to the Polish offensive and it was this offensive that gave new life to Bolshevism. The fact that Wrangel was deserted by the European countries increased his prestige and likewise increased the chances of his winning against Bolshevism. Therefore, in view of all these facts I strongly recommend that our Government continue her present course of independent action with relation to Russia and prevent in every way any impression that we are aiding European countries in their selfish purposes towards Russia. We should require European countries to follow our lead as we have now taken it. Repeated to Paris.