861.00/4957: Telegram
The Consul at Archangel (Strother) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:20 p.m.]
26. I gather British forces will be withdrawn soon from this front. General Ironside, British commander-in-chief, put two alternatives to London: first, send enough forces to hold the line and advance; or, second, withdraw and in this event supply transportation for 10,000 women and children taken out to safety. Insidious Bolshevik propaganda is working among Russian forces that all Allied forces will withdraw and Russian troops with us should save their skins by deserting. It is effective; some Russian troops have killed their officers and gone over to the Bolsheviki. We have lost recently Onega, by this impairing cable service through that point. We have not secured it again. Disturbance has been avoided elsewhere by drastic measures. When the remaining British forces depart it is obvious this locality will be Bolshevik sooner or later. There are many people here who have been loyal to our efforts made to help Russia help herself. Refugees are here from south Russia, Baltic Provinces and Siberia; all of them dependable [dependent?] population. The United States had promised to help Russia, I beg leave to ask the Department whether we may desert them in their peril. Left behind men will be shot, women ruined. Russians here remind Americans daily of our promises; they say the United States will not fail. This consulate asks whether the United States will supply shipping to convey to a refuge its proportionate part of the 10,000 or more. May I grant visas if ships are sent? There are stores at Archangel to stock ships. Brigadier General Richardson, United States Army, entirely approves these recommendations. Please repeat to Ambassador Francis.