Edward H. Egbert to John Sharp Williams

Confirming my conversation with you yesterday, I wish to emphasize the following considerations.

German money, German agents and spies are carrying on a propoganda in Russia under the guise of socialists, Maximallists, labor agitators, etc., and are causing practically all of the political unrest now prevailing there. The gravest danger to Russia and to the Allies is from the intrigue behind the lines rather than the military action on the front. One of the principal arguments of the German propogandists, both in the Army and in the interior, is similar to that used here. They tell us we are fighting England's commercially inspired War and they tell them that Great Britian and United States will aid them with money and munitions to fight for Anglo Saxon commercial supremacy. They say as for real sympathy and friendship there is nothing to it, but we are seeking only to profit by them now as cannon fodder and later to enslave them commercially.

While, no doubt much has been and is being done by the various Missions through official channels to aid in the restoration and stabilizing of the new Government, little or nothing is being done to demonstrate to the great mass of the people, among whom these German agents are constantly at work, to offset these lies of paid propogandists. American and British agents, even if there were enough of them who could speak Russian, could do little to neutralize this agitation as compared to the effect of deeds of real service rendered by an American Ambulance Corps and a refugee relief service.

Russian peasants are in the large majority a simple and primitive people, soon forgetting words but for a life-time remembering gratefully, and appreciating kindly deeds. Thus a chain of Motor Ambulance Corps active along the entire front and a series of refugee camps in the interior, officered and manned by Americans of vision and diplomacy, would play no minor part in assisting in the reorganization of the Russian armies and industries, consequently shortening the War. Furthermore, and of no small importance, strict observation of military discipline and courtesies toward Officers and men of both nations on the part of the representatives of this Democracy would do much by showing by example that although citizens of a Republic, we still show the respect for authority which makes for efficiency and morale. Russia with less than one percent of the motor ambulances needed deserves such a service from us and from purely humanitarian reasons if for no other.

Since 1915 I have advocated the sending to Russia of a large ambulance corps; before our entrance into the War, purely from a humanitarian standpoint and for diplomatic reasons. So much was and is being done by Americans for France and, comparatively speaking, absolutely nothing for Russia. Russia has proved herself our friend repeatedly ever since we became a nation. Our future as a commercial power also lies more in Russia than elsewhere. I do not advocate doing less for France but I do advocate doing at least as much for Russia.

After the break in our diplomatic relations with Germany I took this matter up with the Council of National Defense, and later co-operating with my colleague, Dr. Malcolm C. Grow, whom I induced to go to Russia with me in 1915, took it up with the War Council of the Red Cross. The final outcome of this was that a Mission headed by Professor Frank Billings of the University of Chicago has gone to Russia to investigate and advise the Red Cross as to what action should be taken. This Mission was due in Petrograd last Sunday and a preliminary report will probably be received here in a few days.

Because of a first hand knowledge of Russian people; their national characteristics, their customs, methods of transacting business, their policies and politics, together with a knowledge of the country itself, based on extensive travel throughout European Russia and Poland, I feel that I can speak with a degree of authority. Furthermore it is my very great honor to have among my personal acquaintances, and in some cases a warm friendship, some of the gentlemen in the highest positions in the new government and in the Russian Red Cross service. Adding to this a most valuable experience in military surgery both at the front and in base hospitals, I feel that I am entitled to and should be given a position of responsibility with this expedition to Russia not only for service abroad but also xuring the period of organization here. The full measure of success of this enterprise will not be reached unless careful attention is given to the choosing and instructing of the personnel.

May I call your attention especially to the enclosed letter from the former Russian Imperial Ambassador and to the fact that his Excellency Boris Bakhmeteff, the new Ambassador, who is familiar for diplomatic reasons he could not volunteer his endorsement of me, he would be pleased to give his heartiest endorsement should his advice be sought.

If you feel that this matter is not of sufficient importance to bring to the President's attention I would appreciate it if you would write to Lieut. Col. C. H. Conner, Medical Corps, USA, Director Bureau Medical Service, Red Cross Headquarters, stating that you have known me personally for six or seven years and that I have had a conference with you regarding the political situation in Russia. That you have found that I have intimate knowledge of the conditions and of the people and am acquainted with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and other high officials, both here and in Russia, and considering their confidence in me it would be well for diplomatic reasons to give me as responsible a position as may be compatible with the best interests of the service.

Thanking you for many previous courtesies, I am,