861.00/7359: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Wallace) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 14—1:16 a.m.]
1694. Mr. Maklakoff, Russian Ambassador here who is leaving for the Crimea, came to see me on Saturday and stated that he had received word from General Wrangel that the American Government would give “economic assistance” to the Government of South Russia. This information having come to General Wrangel from McCully. Maklakoff added that this news had been confirmed by Bach, Counsellor of the Russian Embassy at Washington now in Paris who had conferred with the Secretary of State before leaving America. According to Maklakoff by “economic assistance” was meant goods of prime necessity, such as boots, clothing, and agricultural machinery for the peasants. He came to ask that if you do not advise news so hopeful to Russians is correct, there might be some understanding between France who is aiding the South Russian Government and the United States to study and coordinate their assistance. I promised Maklakoff that I would transmit this statement to the Department.
Many persons here of sound judgment, those in official circles and others, believe that if Wrangel is given the economic support above mentioned the downfall of Bolshevism would be hastened.