Poole to Lansing on Lenin address on need to retrench while imperialists fight, and Soviet neutraliy
File No. 861.00/1835
[Telegram]
Moscow, May 15, 1918, 8 p.m.
[Received May 22, 10:43 a.m.]
520.
In address on subject of foreign politics, delivered last night before Central Executive Committee, Lenin reiterated policy already stated, see No. 421, namely that Soviet government must retrench and [transcription error] while the imperialistic powers devour each other. He continues effort to embroil United States and Japan saying:
An inevitable conflict will arise between Japan and America for supremacy of Pacific and its coasts. The conflicting interests of two imperialistic countries now screened by an alliance against Germany check the movement of Japanese imperialism against Russia.
In concluding read telegram from Soviet representative at Berlin of which following substance:
[transcription error] conversation regarding demand for evacuation Fort Ino and general attitude Germany toward Russia, German General Staff states that there will been no further advance and Germany's role in Ukraine and Finland is at an end. Germany is ready to help with peace negotiations at Kiev and Helsingfors. It is officially stated by the German Government that Germany stand on the Brest Litovsk treaty, desires to live in peace with us, has no aggressive plans and will make no advance on us. In response to my demand Germany has promised to regard us on the same footing as other neutrals.
Poole
Documents on US Foreign Policy in Russia
[Subject] [Author] [Date]