Russian Ambassador to Secretary of State

Title

Russian Ambassador to Secretary of State

Creator

Bakhmetev, B. A. (Boris Aleksandrovich)

Identifier

WWP25383

Date

1919 November 10

Description

Describes a massacre by the Bolsheviks.

Source

Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers

Publisher

Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum

Subject

Soviet Union--History--Revolution, 1917-1921

Contributor

Mark Edwin Peterson

Relation

WWP25382

Language

English

Provenance

Document scan was taken from Library of Congress microfilm reel of the Wilson Papers. WWPL volunteers transcribed the text.

Text

Russian Amb.

Got Nov. 15th/18

PRO MEMORIA

September 21, in its efforts to check Bolsheviki terrorism in Russia, the American Government addressed an appeal to the Allied and neutral Governments, inviting them to join in an expression of abhorrence against barbarism and to impress upon the perpetrators of the crimes their aversion and horror.

Events have proved since, that the reign of terror has not subsided. On the contrary later reports indicate, that the Bolsheviki now openly declare November 10 as a general St. Bartholomew night, with wholesale slaughter of the Bourgeoisie and the intellectual classes.

The past records of the leaders of the Red Guards rend futile any illusions with regard to this threat. It is useless as well to qualify these unheard acts from the point of view of humanity and civilization. Facts are to be taken as they stand.

The Russian people are not responsible for this indiscriminate barbarism. A gang of men, foreign to the Russian people, using for their bloody crimes, hoards of hirelings, composed mostly of elements not Russian.

The relations between the Bolsheviki rulers and Germany have been openly established. The leaders of the Red Guards are mere instruments in the hands of the German agents. German detachments, formed of prisoners of war and officered by Germans, are operating on Russian territory in close contact with the Bolsheviki forces.

The terrorism and the annihilation of the intellectual classes may be a part of a nefarious German scheme. In any case, the crimes and terrorism are committed with approbation, even if silent, of the German foremen in Russia.

In order to stop terrorism it is useless to appeal to the conscience of the instigators. Massacre can be stopped only through a direct threat to the perpetrators. The Bolsheviki leaders, both in central and local organizations, should be made to understand that they will be held personally accountable for their crimes. Strict personal responsibility ought to be applied as well to German agents and military commanders now in Russia.

The leaders of the Red Guards and their German masters must be made to feel, unmistakably and unequivocally, that they will have to answer for their crimes before a Court of organized humanity, from which no leniency is to be expected. Extradiction of these criminals should be made part of the future peace agreements.

Original Format

Letter

Files

http://resources.presidentwilson.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/WWI1327A.pdf

Collection

Tags

Citation

Bakhmetev, B. A. (Boris Aleksandrovich), “Russian Ambassador to Secretary of State,” 1919 November 10, WWP25383, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.