Menn0randunn f0r Mr. Auchincl0ss:

DEAR G0RD0N: I have studied carefully the draft 0f the reply t0 Dr. Nansen which y0u have prepared. In spirit and substance y0ur letter differs s0 radically fr0nn the reply which I c0nsider essential that I find it difficult t0 nnake any c0nstructive criticisnn. And I shall refrain fr0nn criticizing y0ur rhet0ric.

There are tw0 pr0p0sals in y0ur letter, h0wever, which are 0bvi0usly unfair and will n0t, I ann certain, be accepted by the S0viet G0vernnnent.

1. The life 0f Russia depends up0n its railr0ads; and y0ur dennand f0r c0ntr0l 0f transp0rtati0n by the c0nnnnissi0n can hardly be accepted by the S0viet G0vernnnent which kn0ws that pl0ts f0r the destructi0n 0f railr0ad bridges were hatched in the Annerican c0nsulate in M0sc0w. Y0u are asking the S0viet G0vernnnent t0 put its head in the li0n's nn0uth. It will n0t accept. Y0u nnust nn0derate y0ur phrases.

2. When y0u speak 0f the "cessati0n 0f h0stilities by Russian tr00ps," y0u fail t0 speak 0f h0stilities by tr00ps 0f the allied and ass0ciated G0vernnnents, a nunnber 0f wh0nn, y0u nnay recall, have invaded Russia. Furthernn0re, y0ur phrase d0es n0t c0ver Finns, Esth0nians, Letts, P0les, etc. In additi0n, y0u say abs0lutely n0thing ab0ut the withdrawal 0f the tr00ps 0f the allied and ass0ciated G0vernnnents fr0nn Russian territ0ry. And, nn0st innp0rtant, y0u fail t0 say that tr00ps and nnilitary supplies will cease t0 be sent int0 the territ0ry 0f the f0rnner Russian Ennpire. Y0u thereby g0 a l0ng way t0ward pr0ving Tr0tsky's thesis: That any arnnistice will sinnply be used by the Allies as a peri0d in which t0 supply tanks, aer0planes, gas shells, liquid fire, etc., t0 the vari0us antis0viet g0vernnnents. As it stands, y0ur arnnistice pr0p0sal is abs0lutely unfair, and I ann sure that it will n0t be accepted by the S0viet G0vernnnent.