The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-03-11
FRANCIS READY
Continued from page One,

told Robins that he had heard that
such invasion was countenanced by
the allies and especially by America
and it would not only force the gov
eminent to advocate the ratification
of the humiliating peace, but would
so completely estrange all factions in
Russia that further resistance 20
Germany would be absolutely impos-
sible. Trotzky Furthermore asserted
that neither his government nor the
Russia people would object to the SUI
pervision by America OF all ship
mems from vladivostok into Russia
end virtual control Of the operations
of the Siberian Railway but a ia
1tssjta.N .ss AK stsm III H.. ,a.a..
STA q German previnH. In my judg-
ment a japanese advance now would
be exceedingly unwise and this mid
night cable is sent for the purpose OF
asking that our influence may be ex-
erted to prevent same Please reply
FRANCIS"
Urges Against Intervention.
A few hours after this message was
sent, Ambassador Francis sent an
other in which he advised the state
department that he has read the
sheyik. newspapers and had found n
unanimity OF opposition against the
threatened Intervention. In this
ca blegram the ambassador said:
Cannot too strongly urge against
intervention by Japanese. If rumor
Of Japanese Intervention is baseless
am confident treaty will not be rati-
fed.
Under date Of May 3, 1918, Am
bassador Francis sent telegram to
Robins, who was then in Moscow, in
which he inquired whether the soviet
government would oppose allied In
tervention II ii were impossible to
avoid 1t. In this message, the Am
bassador reminded Robins of the m
terest he had displayed in the Bo;-
sfevik government. saying.
You are acquainted with my ef-
forts to bring railway men to the as
sfstance of the soviet government and
the big military missions to the aid
Of the soviets."
The Ambassador in the same mes
sage said he had heard the rumors
that Colonel Robins was striving TO
succeed him as ambassador and as
sured Robins that he was not at all
disturbed by such reports
mo one who knows anything at all
aboul poAAtiCS WoulQ ever LOT mo-
ment think that I would seek any,
thing of the kind" Robins said to the
committee. after reading the ambas
sador's message.
The first document placed in the
record by Colonel Robins. officially
designated as Robins Document
Number One" was a suggested COM
to the commissar of for
e'gn affairs. Leon Trotzky, containing
the suggestion that If the treaty of
Brest-Litovsk should be rejected the
Rolsheyik government stood fair
chance Of obtaining recognition by
the American government. This doc
ument was sent to Colonel Robins by
Am bassador Francis and hears at the
Bottom in pencil the notation. OK.
d. r. F, subject to change by depart
ment. of which Colonel Robins will be
promptly Informed" II reads AS fol-
lows:
Text OF First Document.
AT the hour the Russian people
shall require assistance from the
United States to repel the actions OF
Germany and her allies, you may he
assured that l will recommend to the
government that IL render
them all aid and assistance within it's
power. II. upon termination OF the
present armistice. Russia fails TO con-
clude democratic peace through the
fault OF the neutral powers and Is COM
PEELED to continue the war, shall urge
upon my government the fullest as
sistance to Russia possible. Including
the shipme emit OF supplies and mum.
tons for the Russian armies, the ex-
of credits and the giving OF
such advice and technical assistance
as may be welcome to the Russian
people in the service of the common
purpose to obtain through the defeat
of the German autocracy the effective
guarantee of lasting and democratic
peace
Il am not authorized TO speak for
my government on the question OF rec
ignition. hut thar Ia question which
VIII OF necessity he decided by actual
future events. / may add. however,
hat II the Russian armies now under
Command OF the peoples commissa-
lies commence and seriously conduct
hostilities against the forces OF Ger
many and her allies will recommend
o my government the formal recogni-
ion OF the de facto government OF tho |
peoples commissaires"
On the same day Amhassa dor Fran.
eis sent TO Colonel Robins a draft OF
cable message which he purposed
sending to the American secretary OF |
stAte an the event tnat ROBINS sent
word from Moscow that the treaty
With Germany had been rejected and
decided to prosecute the war against
Germany and Austria. This message
never was sent. but the I,
ext OF 1t was as follows:
Message Which Wasn't Sent
From sources which I regard az
'elfabIe l have received information to
he effect that the Bolshevik leaders /
ear complete failure of peace neco-
iations because of probable demand |
~ Germany of impossible terms. De-
ire for peace is so fundamental and /
that it Ia impossible to
oretell the results Of the abrupt fer
OF these negotiations with
My alternative disgraceful peace or
ontinuance OF war. Bolshevik lead
rs viii welcome information as to
What assistance may be expected
rom OF government IL continuance
t war is decided upon. Assurance
I American support in such event
nay decidedly influence their deci-
ion.
Under these circumstances. and
previous cables. II
AVE considered it my duty e instruct Il
'olonel Judson to informally commu- Il
licate to the Bolshevik leaders the