The Avalon Project at Yale Law School

Foreign Relations of the United States : 1918
The Conclusion of the Peace of Brest Litovsk
The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State

File No. 763.72119/1213

The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State

[telegram]

PETROGRAD, January 28, 1918, 1 p.m.

[Received January 31, 5.06 a.m.]

2294. Trotsky left early this morning for Brest to sign separate peace having stated to Congress last night that much as regretted imperialistic terms, might be necessary to concede same in order to prevent enemy from appropriating all Russia but powerless to offer resistance. Congress by large majority approved previous peace negotiations and authorized continuance.

FRANCIS