Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-11-24
RUSSIAN EMBASSY
IGNORES BOLSHEv|K|
Ambassador Bakhmeteff Tells
u. S. Extremists Do Not
Represent People.
THREE OFFICERS RESIGN

Ambassador Bakhmeteff of Russia
notified the State Department formally
today that the embassy does not recog-
nize tho authority of the extremists
now in control of the foreign Office at
Petrograd.
In a letter to Secretary Lansing, fol-
lowing the resignation of three of the
chief officers of the embassy to avoid
having relations with the bolsheviki,
the ambassador said the bolsheviki
government was not representative OF
the true will of the Russian people and
that he would not recognize that or
any similar government which would
lead the country into participation
in the war.
The ambassador added. however, that
he considered himself duty bound to
remain at his post, and would do SO,
with competent stan OF assistants.
Three Who Resign.
The three chief officers of the en-
bassy here who resigned today are c.
Onou, counsellor; John Sookine. first
secretary. and F. de Mohrenschildt, sec
ond secretary.
Mr.. Sookine came to Washington
with Ambassador Boris Bakhmeteff
after the overthrow of the monarchy
and has been the ambassadors CHIEF
assistant.
Mr. Mohrenschildt married Miss Mona
Haselhurst McAdoo. daughter OF the
Secretary of the Treasury. last May.
Both he and Mr.. Onou were attached
the new ambassador.
Has Maintained Attitude.
Mr.. Sookine, who also is an officer
of the Russian army, and Mr.. Nohren-
schidt have offered their services to
the American government for the war
against Germany.
The ambassadors letter to Secretary
Lansing follows:
my Dear Mr.. Secretary:
.'In connection with the events
which are taking place at present in
Russia I have considered it imperative
to define clearly the attitude which
the embassy has adopted with regard
to further activities.
From the very outset of the revolt
in PetroRrad the embassy has consid-
cred a "bolsheviki government as
anti-national and not representative
of the true will of the Russian people
THE embassy has, therefore. refused
to accept the authority and mas not en-
tered into any contract with the grouI
at present in power in Petrograd- IN
the future !, will continue in not recog'
nizing Q sholshevikf or any simiial
government, which would break loyalt,
% - { hsasSsftis iSatioh in the war.
Has Maintained Attitude.
"However disorganizing and danger
Gus for my country and the common
,:e~h 4 ha M
of the .bolsheviki.' have not declined
for a moment the firm attitude of faith
and conviction that even open steps un-
dertaken by the 'bolsheviki' for the
withdrawal Of Russia from the war
cannot prejudice OF the true spirit OF
the Russian people and of the real de-
cisfons which the people will adopt
when freed from the temporary rule
of violence. which is endeavoring ac-
tually to bring forth irreparable acuen. =,
"a deep and active opposition OF all
sound and, constructive elements OF
Russia is bound to arise. revealing in
positive action the true spirit OF the
loyal and national Russia.
However, it is evident that until
conditions change the Russian embassy
cannot exercise in full measure the
most essential of it's duties and activ-
ities which are based on active war
cooperation with the United States
government and the allies. I have au-
fnOTlZG0.-
embassy to follow their natural feeling
in their desire to find other grounds
for their activities.
Duty to Remain at Post.
Gas to myself. I consider it my duty to
remain at my post. having to hold firmly
the dignity Of national and loyal Russia
and to maintain the responsibility OF an
engagements and commitments of the legal
government of Russia which has been in
trusted to me. 1 will continue to carry
such duties unless another legal repre-
sentative recognized as such by the United
States government would take charge OF
the representation Of Russia after FORM
al acceptance of the whole OF its func-
tions. duties and liabilities.
I'm the meantime. defending the symbol
of a national representation OF Russia. l
will carry on the current affairs pertain
ing to the manifold matters IN which the
Russian government has contracted tight
bonds in the process OF war cooperation
with the government of the United States
and different institutions of this country.
Render All Protection.
ST will endeavor, as WELL to render all
possible protection to the interests of the
citizens of Russia in this country and
will give support to all activities of in
dividuals and institutions in Russia whose
endeavors are directed to Illustrate the
rule of anti-national elements and con-
tribute to the revelation of the true spirit
Of the country.
"a staff of assistants necessary for
the fulfillment of this task will remain
at the embassy and other Russian in
stitutions in the United States. per-
forming the heavy patriotic duty and
through their devotion to
the endeavors which are actually made
in Russia by different departments and
which. not recognizing
tho 'bolsheviki government apply all
efforts to oppose it's destructive activ-
tiles by maintaining to the utmost the
war mechanism and preventing the
of the state.
Accept, excellency, the renewed as
surances of my highest consideration.
BORIS BAKHMETEFF.'
PERMIT FOR MEETING DENIED.