Maddin Summers to Robert Lansing

CCBSpecial Red.Moscow.

Dated December 6, 1917.

Recd 9th, 1.55 P.M.
Secretary of State,
Washington, D. C.

104. December 6, 6 P.M.

Strictly confidential.

General Brusiloff who was recently wounded by Bolsheviki yesterday called me to hospital and asked me to state to the American Government that General Alexieff as Commander in Chief and General Kaledin the Lieutenant Governor at (*) a man of the combined Cossacks troops have formed a well equipped army of fifty thousand cavalry and a trustful infantry force. A union will be effected with the Ukrain troops and loyal elements of the army and people who are flocking to the South. Rodzianko and other leaders of the Constitutional regime supporting them. In case Bolsheviki dissolve or terrorism (*) constitutional assembly with a cabinet will be determined upon. In case they cannot control same Alexieff and members of the partisan Government will proclaim seat Government in Cossacks country and will then send forces to Moscow and St. Petersburg to reestablish order. Brusiloff thinks armies Alexieff and Kaledin more than sufficient to reestablish order and avert further anarchy but thinks several weeks will elapse before active operation can be begun. Brusiloff states that there are still loyal troops in Russia which will continue to fight Germany and hold German troops on this front. He says that Prince Troubetzkio has communicated Alexieff's plans to British Embassy and that financial support has been promised. He asks that the United States support them morally and financially. He strongly urged that unless such an important movement is successful Russia will become a prey to anarchy and civil war.General Alexieff sent a trusted friend to inform me confidentially of his movements. He confirmed Brusiloff's statements that Alexieff had formed a union with the Ukrain forces and a part of the army of the south western front. He stated that Alexieff strongly recommended the occupation of the Siberian railway by the Allies in order to insure arrival of supplies and prevent liberation of large numbers of German prisoners who may do irreparable harm by stirring up civil war, organizing massacres of foreigners and destroying the railway.

The Consulate General would greatly appreciate the confidential aims of the Department as to its attitude with respect to the Bolsheviki who have violently seized the power and the Government which has been recognized as that of the Russian people.

SUMMERS.

Revised by CCB.