Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-08-23
Vice Consul Imbder in a De-
Iayed CabIegram Reaching
Washington Advises Of Ac-
ton Of the BoIsheyiki.
SITUATION IS VIEWED
HERE WITH SOME ALARM
Petrograd Authorities, Howey-
err May Have Misinterpret..
ed Trotzky's Speech Made
at Moscow Recently


Washington, Aug 2.-Dlspatches
from Russia today were OF a some.
what disturbing nature to state de-
partment officials. Vice Consul Rob
ert w. lmbrie, at Petrograd, reported
in a delayed despatch that members
of the Bolshevik government at the
former Russian capital had issued n
pronunciamento declaring that state
Of war existed between Russia and
the United States,
In view of the Bolshevik declara-
tion, Mr., Imbrie reported in his des-
patch which was dated Aug. 2. that
he had lowered the United States flag
over the consulate and. following the
recent action of Consul General Poole
at Moscow, closed the consulate and
turned the affairs of the United
states over to the Norwegian consul.
Americans in Petrograd, believed to
number about 20, were warned to
leave, Consul Imbrie's despatch said,
although the consul indicated that he
would remain at his post until he had
received instructions from the state
department.
Two Councils Appointed.
Announcement in a despatch from
France of the appointmet of two
international councils, one at Arehan-
gel and the other at Vladivostok.
however, counterbalances the unfay-
orable news contained Sn the tlespntTfi
from Petrograd. Ambassador Fran
els, as dean of the diplomatic corps,
will act as the presiding officer of the
Archangel council. The personnel OF
the Vladivostok council is not yet
complete. Consul Caldwell will be
the American member until President
Wilson desgnates a representative.
Persecution of the few Americans
in Petrograd for the ten days prior
to the despatch of Consul Imbrie's
cablegram made state department of
ficials apprehensive as to their safe
ty Officials regard it as evident that
further messages from the consul
have been held up by the Bolshevik.
Regard Declaration Seriously.
The reference in Consul Imbries
despatch to a declaration of war
against the United States by the
Bolshevik authorities, however. was
1t was suggested that the speech of
Minister of War Trotsky at Moscow
late in July, in which he declared that
a state of war existed between Russia
and Great Britain and France and
their allies and which Foreign Minis.
ter Tchitcherin modified. in response
to an inquiry by Consul General Poole,
to a state of defense against the
allies was the real basis for the lat
est development in Petrograd. 1t was
thought that upon receipt Of the re.
port of Trotskys speech the Petro
grad Bolshevik authorities interpreted
1t as they saw fit and issued their dec
laration of war against the United
States.
Fate of Americans in Doubt.
Whether the Americans in Petro-
grad will be able to escape was doubt
ful, 1t was said, despite the recent
agreement with the Finnish govern
ment whereby Americans leaving
Russia might have safe passage
through Finland. Officials here
pointed out that the Firms would be
unable to protect Americans against
German officials and soldiers who are
in control in Finlad.
The announcement by Secretary
Baker today of the arrival of the
Thirty-first regiment regulars. Uni
ted States Infantry at Vladivostok
brings the military representation of
the United States at that port to two
full regiments, the arrival of the
Twenty seventh Infantry having been
announced several days ago Secre-
tary Baker said that Major General
William S., Graves, who is to COM
mand the American contingent had
not vet arrived at Vladivostok.