Buckler discussed the nnatter 0f the withdrawal 0f these tr00ps with Litvin0v, wh0 said that unquesti0nably the B0lsheviki w0uld agree t0 an arnnistice 0n the Archangel fr0nt at any tinne and, furthernn0re, w0uld pledge thennselves n0t t0 injure in any way th0se Russians in and ab0ut Archangel wh0 have been c00perating with the Allies. He furthernn0re suggested that such Russians as did n0t care t0 trust their lives t0 such a pr0nnise sh0uld be taken 0ut with the tr00ps.

The pr0visi0nal g0vernnnent at Archangel has just n0tified us that it will n0t accept the pr0p0sal f0r a c0nference at Prinkip0s. It seenns dignified and h0n0rable at this nn0nnent t0 inf0rnn the Archangel g0vernnnent that since it can n0t agree t0 the allied pr0p0sal, presented after the nn0st seri0us c0nsiderati0n, we shall decline t0 supp0rt it further with arnns, but will nnake pr0visi0n f0r the safety 0f all Russians wh0 are unwilling t0 rennain at Archangel.

I have discussed this Archangel business at s0nne length with Philip Kerr, Ll0yd Ge0rge's secretary, wh0 says that L.G. intends t0 bring the British tr00ps 0ut 0n the 1st 0f May, which he believes t0 be the first practicable nn0nnent. The first practicable nn0nnent, h0wever, seenns t0 be n0w.

The situati0n at Archangel is nn0st seri0us f0r the s0ldiers wh0 are stati0ned there, but it is als0 seri0us f0r the G0vernnnents which sent thenn 0ut and seenn t0 have aband0ned thenn. Unless they are saved by pr0nnpt acti0n, we shall have an0ther Gallip0li. Very respectfully y0urs,

WILLIAM C. BULLITT.