David R. Francis to Robert Lansing
Title
David R. Francis to Robert Lansing
Creator
Francis, David R. (David Rowland), 1850-1927
Identifier
WWP25199
Date
1918 September 23
Description
Two officers of the Omsk government arrived in Archangel.
Source
Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers
Publisher
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
Subject
World War, 1914-1918--Russia
Contributor
Morgan Willer
Language
English
Provenance
Document scan was taken from Library of Congress microfilm reel of the Wilson Papers. WWPL volunteers transcribed the text.
Text
GREEN
Archangel
Dated September 23, 1918
Rec’d. September 24, 2.45 A.M.
Secretary of State,
Washington.
420 September 23, 12.00 P.M.
Your telegram Number 265 and 267 received to-day. Two officers of Omsk Government arrived here to-day; left Ekaterinburg August 13th; report all Russian Government Samara not yet established, consequently sovereign Government here not now abdicating. I insisted always Government continue functioning until abdication and appointment approved by Samara Government, thereby differing with colleagues who while not so admitting, were please by abdication. Governor General appointed issued first order today which unobjectionable except in branding coup d’etat as a crime of adventurers. While I think kidnapping was crime and perpetrator deserved punishment, I believe Governor General indiscreet when calling promoters adventurers as they may be sincere patriots, but nevertheless perpetrated crime.
Likewise Lindley advocates Allied Ambassadors promulgating statement that proclamation issued by two Ministers stating Grand Duke Michel in Archangel did so from interested motives solely. While I object to impugning their sincerity, but willing to sign, stated they were mistaken. A number of Russian officers organized by Chaplin have agreed to disobey and ignore Samarine Assistant Governor General Tchaikovsky tells Allied chiefs that a Russian officer Filinenko so persuaded officers, and is planning another conspiracy and should be banished from Archangel. I agree, but French Ambassador argued that Filinenko entitled to right of free speech while properly denied same to strikers and socialistic journals criticising Poole. I proposed that neither Sovereign Government nor Poole nor Governor General issue proclamation or order without approval of Allied Ambassadors. This was not adopted but seems only solution of situation.
Your 259 September 14, 1.00 P.M. As telegraphic communication Samara established, please ask American Consul there what status of all Russian regeneration movement.
Can Department advise me whether a state of war exists between the United States and Bolshevik Government.
FRANCIS
Archangel
Dated September 23, 1918
Rec’d. September 24, 2.45 A.M.
Secretary of State,
Washington.
420 September 23, 12.00 P.M.
Your telegram Number 265 and 267 received to-day. Two officers of Omsk Government arrived here to-day; left Ekaterinburg August 13th; report all Russian Government Samara not yet established, consequently sovereign Government here not now abdicating. I insisted always Government continue functioning until abdication and appointment approved by Samara Government, thereby differing with colleagues who while not so admitting, were please by abdication. Governor General appointed issued first order today which unobjectionable except in branding coup d’etat as a crime of adventurers. While I think kidnapping was crime and perpetrator deserved punishment, I believe Governor General indiscreet when calling promoters adventurers as they may be sincere patriots, but nevertheless perpetrated crime.
Likewise Lindley advocates Allied Ambassadors promulgating statement that proclamation issued by two Ministers stating Grand Duke Michel in Archangel did so from interested motives solely. While I object to impugning their sincerity, but willing to sign, stated they were mistaken. A number of Russian officers organized by Chaplin have agreed to disobey and ignore Samarine Assistant Governor General Tchaikovsky tells Allied chiefs that a Russian officer Filinenko so persuaded officers, and is planning another conspiracy and should be banished from Archangel. I agree, but French Ambassador argued that Filinenko entitled to right of free speech while properly denied same to strikers and socialistic journals criticising Poole. I proposed that neither Sovereign Government nor Poole nor Governor General issue proclamation or order without approval of Allied Ambassadors. This was not adopted but seems only solution of situation.
Your 259 September 14, 1.00 P.M. As telegraphic communication Samara established, please ask American Consul there what status of all Russian regeneration movement.
Can Department advise me whether a state of war exists between the United States and Bolshevik Government.
FRANCIS
Original Format
Letter
To
Lansing, Robert, 1864-1928
Files
Collection
Citation
Francis, David R. (David Rowland), 1850-1927, “David R. Francis to Robert Lansing,” 1918 September 23, WWP25199, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.