Francis to Lansing on Allied action should Soviet government collapse (support elected government who supports Allies) File No. 861.00/1945 [Telegram] Vologda, June 3, 1918, 5 p.m. [Received June 4, 10:22 p.m.] 239.     Have been considering the situation that will confront us when Bolshevik government collapse which may possibly be soon and broached the subject to my colleagues yesterday with suggestion that our respective governments be prepared to instruct Allied Ambassadors here to support whatever government should be formulated by Constituent Assembly fairly elected. Such instructions might be sent before downfall of Soviet government but held until collapse occurs when they should be immediately promulgated before another government forced as postponing action until thereafter would subject Allies to the same situation that has existed for seven months past. French Ambassador, Italian Ambassador agreed, former suggested that in the aforesaid instructions should be condition that all parties should be represented in new government. I demurred advocating no conditions whatever as I though such position more tenable and furthermore there are numerous parties in Russia, even five or more socialistic party organizations, in addition to formidable international and anarchistic parties.     Russian people require guidance, are helpless without it; we are decidedly most popular of Allies not only because Russians are satisfied we have no territorial designs but because of President Wilson's eloquent, impressive utterances of sympathy and interest and probably because American Embassy was first to recoginze the Republic and is only one that never left Russia nor planned to do so.     Following instructions respectfully outlined:     In event present Soviet government abdicates or is deposed, you are instructed to announce to the Russian people, whom this Government has never ceased to consider its ally against the Central Empires, that the Government of the United States will recognize that government which will be adopted by the people though their representatives chosen at an election duly called and held under safeguards which will insure an honest expression of the popular will.     Such an election could be held within thirty days, I believe, by a provisional government composed of unselfish patriotic Russians; experience of the last fifteen months has equipped Russia for prompt and emphatic expression of popular will and any government so organized, and promised united support of Allies, would be immediately accepted and valiantly sustained by great majority of Russians.     Has the Department any other suggestion for deliverance from this impending dilemma? Please answer. Francis Documents on US Foreign Policy in Russia [Subject] [Author] [Date]