British Embassy to Woodrow Wilson
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Annexed is a telegram from the British Ambassador at Petrograd making certain suggestions as to the transport problem in Russia. Mr. Balfour's personal opinion is that the importance of this problem cannot be exaggerated and that it is extremely improbable that the Russians will be able to solve it without foreign assistance. There are however two main difficulties. The first is diplomatic. It will be very difficult to induce the Russian Government to agree to accept the foreign control which foreign help necessarily involves if it is to be effective. The second difficulty is practical. To afford the necessary assistance railway experts are required, rolling stock and locomotives as well as skilled workmen. The European Allies could probably provide a certain number of experts in railway management but they have no locomotives rolling stock or skilled workmen to spare. They cannot provide for their own war needs in railway material and artisans. For instance, Great Britain finds it very difficult at present to carry on at home the increased traffic necessitated by the war and has had to provide for France rails rolling stock engines and skilled labour in addition to her own requirements at home.
Under these circumstances Mr. Balfour thinks that the United States can find a great field for war work of the highest importance without interfering with those efforts which they are now making in many other directions.
The course suggested by the British Ambassador is that the Allies should offer joint assistance. But if this scheme is carried out the procedure will be slow and probably inefficient if it takes the form of an attempt to solve the Russian transport question made collectively by England, the United States, France and Italy. The United States has already given Russia assistance of the greatest value in the shape of engines, rolling stock and railway experts. If America were to pursue this policy of helping Russia to reorganise her transport system conceived on the broadest lines it is probable that the effect on the future of the war would be of transcendent importance. There can be no doubt as to the magnitude of the difficulties to be encountered. In any case they could only be surmounted gradually. If however the task is to be accomplished at all the United States is the country which can perform it. Its importance would certainly justify a great effort. Any diplomatic assistance which is in our power would of course be freely given. Mr. Balfour believes that a certain number of officers accustomed to military railway work could be supplied from Great Britain and also a limited number of civilians trained in the ordinary work of railway administration. Great Britain would be glad to place under American direction such officers and civilians should their services be desired.
August 5, 1917.
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