El Nuevo mexicano., 1919-06-12

llnterlefeu with our INTERNATIONAL com
mercial relations. A large portion Of
the commerce between this country
and Russia was transacted through
EngIpnd and much larger portion
through Germany; 1t was the custom
OF American firms who wished to sell
their wares to Russia to establish
agencies IN Germany for that purpose.
made effort to promote direct com
merclal relations; not only enc0urag-
ing American exporters and Russian
purchasers to make acquaintance but
even before leaving America, had a
conference with president OF the
Western Union Telegraph CO., Mr..
Carleton, with whom | was personally
acquainted and suggested or urged
1.-THE laying Of a direct cable between
the American and Russian coasts.
II even went SO far after my arrival
n Russia as to obtain the consent or
the Russian government to defray half
the cost of the cable which was esti-
mated at that time to be about six
million dollars. As the State Depart
ment said they had no objection to my
Submitting a proposition to the West
ern Union Telegraph Company mas
mitch as our government was not at
that time Interested In or controlling
public utilities. | wrote Mr.. Carleton
OF the agreement secured from the
Russian government, stating further
more that Russia besides furnishing
half Of the cost of the cable would be
willing to lease 1t to the western I'M
ion Company for operation and would
accept as its portion of the rental six
percent interest on It's Investment;
but the reply was that the Western
Union or the American Telephone &
Telegraph Company, which owned the
Western Union could not see its way
clear to join in the enterprise. My
recollection, moreover, is that / wrote
Mr.. Carleton that II the cable would
not pay operating expenses in the be-
ginning or for several years there
after ! Thought the Russian govern
ment would be willing to forego its
interest. | cannot recall at this time
whether Mr.. Carleton made any reply
to my last letter OF treated the propo-I
sition as closed.
WELCOMES REVOLUTION
AT any rate, | planned taking up
the project again but was prevented
by the March. 1917 revolution which
| was delighted to welcome. 1t meant
not only the overthrow of an absolute
monarchy and the liberation of the
great masses OF the Russian people
but the removal of a great impeachment
to our entering the war-that was the
making a co.belligerept or ally OF an
absolute a%utocracy. The revolution
began twenty-one days before Presi-
dent wilson delivered his memorable
address to Congress April 2, 1917,
recommending that a state OF war be
declared to exist with Germany. Ten
days after the revolution began, how
ever, and seven days after the Pro
yisional government was formed, |
vas the first ambassador or chief oil
mission to recognize their government
and did so by authority of our gov
eminent forty-eight hours before the
recognition BY England, France and
Italy who had been allies of Russia
Tor many months.
After two years and eight months
Of strenuous service In Russia, during
D portion Of which time he was the
only allied chief of mission in that
Ambassador Francis was
conveyed BY the cruiser Olympia from
.Archangel to a Scottish port, During
The journey, which was tempestuohs
and fatiguing through Arctic waterss9
5he armistice was signed After re-
naining Is to 20 days in the United
Naval Hospital at Strathpeffef
Scotland, he went to London where he
underwent a major surgical operation
MI. Francis nervous system was very
much weakened
He returned with the President on
he steamer George Washington and
after testifying before the Overman
Committee Of the Senate on Bolshe-
risnl, spent two months at White
Sulphur Springs, w. Va, going thence
Q Rye Beach. He has not yet visited
lis home city, st, Louis. 4
When asked about his future plans
he ambassador replied he was walt
ng for orders from the State Depart.
nent. He is rapidly regaining his
lealth and his physician says the OPP K
was entirely successful.