Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1919, Russia

861.00/4972

The Acting Secretary of the Navy (Roosevelt) to the Secretary of State

Washington, August 5, 1919.

Sir: Receipt is acknowledged of your letter of July 29, 1919,⁵¹ attaching a paraphrase of a telegram dated July 11, 1919,⁵² from the American Embassy at Archangel, also attaching a copy of a telegram from the Chargé d’Affaires at Archangel, Mr. Poole,⁵¹ urging that one American naval vessel be permitted to remain at Archangel in order to make our withdrawal of land forces in Russia appear less urgent and abrupt.

In reply I am pleased to inform you that on July 18, 1919, the following orders were issued by the Department to Admiral Knapp, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces operating in European waters,

“Direct U.S.S. Des Moines remain Archangel and vicinity until further orders 13018”

There are also operating in this vicinity, Eagles 1, 2 and 3, and the U.S.S. Yankton.

Respectfully,

Franklin D. Roosevelt

51. Not printed.
52. No. 1315, July 11, 5 p.m., p. 637.
51. Not printed.