Newton D. Baker to Woodrow Wilson

Title

Newton D. Baker to Woodrow Wilson

Creator

Baker, Newton Diehl, 1871-1937

Identifier

WWP22759

Date

1918 August 13

Source

Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library Manuscript Collection, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia

Language

English

Text

August 13, 1918.
IMMEDIATE.
Mr. Phillips asks if you will look this over and let him have it back, with any comment you may wish to make, so that he may take it up with Mr. Polk this morning before the latter's departure.(SBM)
C A B L E G R A M Received at the War Dept Aug 19, 1918. 1:15 AM.1 CO
Versailles.
The Adjutant General, Washington.
Number 184August 18Confidential.
For the Secretary of War and the Chief of Staff. The following instructions have been issued by the British War Office to General Poole commanding allied forces at Archangel and Murmansk".
Paragraph 1. Your main object is to cooperate in restoring Russia with the object of resisting German influence and penetration, and enabling the Russians again to take the field side by side with their Alliesfor the recovery of Russia.
Paragraph 2. In order to effect the above object your immediate aim should be to establish communications with the Czechs, and assisted by them probably secure control of the Archangel-Vologda-Ekaterinburg railroad and the river and railroad lines of communications between Archangel and vVia Tka.
Paragraph 3. At the same time you should endeavor to promote resistance to the enemy by all means at your disposal including: A, organization of armed force to resist the Germans. B. The support of any administration which may be disposed to be friendly to the Allies. C. The affording of relief to the cic civil polpulation. D. Judicious propaganda.
Paragraph 4. According to your latesyt information the Czechs and anti-Bolshevik forces are in possession of the Ekaterinburg and the whole of the Siberian railroad from the neighborhood of Penza to Lake Baikal. It is however reported that the 6,000 Bolshevistgroo troops with 60 guns are in possession of the railroad between Perm and Ekaterinburg. Though it is true that Allied forceshave actually landed at Vladivostok and more are en route, they are at present strictly limited in number in accordance with the view of the United Staetes as to the amount which they consider necessary to establish and maintain communications with the Czechs near Lake Baikal and act as an escort to an economic mission. It may or may not be hfound that these numbers are sufficient to ensure the attainment of the above objects and possibly therefore they may be increased. It is improbable however that in the near future any allied forces other than Czechs will reach western Siberia. Under these circumstances in all probability the Czech troops and their sympathizers now in western Siberia will turn eastwards for safety rather than stretch out to you via Perm and ViaTka. They may even not be able to maintain their present positions. You will be constantly informed of modifications in the above situation as they occur.
Paragraph 5. It will not be possible tosensend you more fighting troops this season than those already notified. Every effort will however be made to provide such arms and supplies as you may consider necessary and which it may be possible with the limited shipping available to place at Archangel before the closure of that port.
Paragraph 6. The events of the next few weeks alone can show whether, should the numbers of allied forces be inadequate, the Czechs can hold out and Russians in sufficient numbers rally to you to secure your immediate objects as in two above.
Paragraph 7. Should it become apparent that you will be unable to realize the object named in paragraph 2 you should concentrate your efforts on the object iin named in paragraph 3 and the immediate defense of Archangel during the ensueing winter months.
Paragraph 8. Further reference my number 183 Mr. Stettinius informed me last night that he had submitted to French and English statement of artillery requirements for the 80 division program and ohoped for an official reply on August 21. He has reason to hope the reply will be favorable.
Copy for Secretary of War.

Original Format

Report

To

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

Files

http://resources.presidentwilson.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/WW000027.pdf

Citation

Baker, Newton Diehl, 1871-1937, “Newton D. Baker to Woodrow Wilson,” 1918 August 13, WWP22759, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library Manuscript Collection, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.