861.48/1821
Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Russian
Affairs, Department of State (Poole)
[Washington,] January 13,
1922.
The attached text of telegraphic orders addressed to Admiral Bristol at
Constantinople by the Navy Department, January 12, 1922, has been
furnished me by Captain W. C. Cole, of the Navy Department.
It is understood that these orders are transmitted to Admiral Bristol
through Admiral Niblack.
The text of the orders is that agreed upon in conference between Captain
Cole, Mr. Herter, of the Department of Commerce, and myself
[Enclosure—Telegram]
The Secretary of the Navy (Denby) to the High Commissioner at Constantinople
(Bristol)
[Washington,] January 12, 1922.
O–287
1312. Services of American Relief Administration particularly in the
Black Sea will be very much broadened in near future and it is
desire of Navy Department that you will afford every facility
including use of vessels of force under your command to
representatives of Mission in accomplishment of their work. It is
possible that Food Commission will desire to make use of services of
naval officers in connection with port activities and to limited
extent as representatives of Food Commission in accordance with
precedent established in connection with activities of Commission
subsequent to Armistice of November nineteen eighteen, with this
difference however that activities just mentioned were situated in
neutral or enemy countries covered by terms of Armistice. Department
realizes that it is not possible to give definite instructions
concerning this matter to [Page 826]
you but desires that you will keep in mind the political expediency
of keeping at minimum consistent with efficient relief operations
the appearance of United States naval vessels in Soviet ports or
contact of naval officers with Bolshevik authorities and absolute
necessity to avoid any appearance of recognition in any way of
Soviet Government or even representatives of local government in
ports in which you may be called upon to operate with your force.
Subject to above remarks the arrangement of details will be left to
your discretion and it is requested that you will keep Navy
Department informed of action taken. Minimum expenditure of fuel to
accomplish mission is authorized. 1200.
[No signature indicated]
