Senator Knox.  Do you know anything about a letter that Buckler wrote to the President in relation to his mission?  Have you ever seen a copy of his report in the form of a letter?

Mr. Bullitt.  I have read a copy of his report, but I have not the copy.  The only reference I have to it that I find, in the short time I have had to go over my papers since I came down from the woods, is in a memorandum to Col.  House in reference to the withdrawal of the American troops from Archangel [reading]: 

Buckler discussed the matter of the withdrawal of these troops with Litvinov, who said that unquestionably the Bolsheviki would agree to an armistice on the Archangel front at any time; and, furthermore, would pledge themselves not to injure in any way those Russians in and about Archangel who have been cooperating with the Allies.  He, furthermore, suggested that such Russians as did not care to trust their lives to such a promise should be taken out with the troops.

Senator Knox.  Do you know anything about whether Litvinov communicated directly with the President in reference to this Buckler mission?

Mr. Bullitt.  Litvinov had written a letter to the President, which has since been widely published, on December 24.

Senator Knox.  That is the letter I had in mind.  I had seen some references to that.  Do you have a copy of that letter?

Mr. Bullitt.  I do not know whether I have any copies of this letter—­that is, authentic.  I think I have a newspaper copy some place, but I have no actual copy of the letter.

Senator Knox.  Can you tell us anything more about the discussion in reference to the withdrawal of troops from Russia that took place at that time—­anything more than is indicated by your letter, there?

Mr. Bullitt.  There were very serious discussions, all the time.  Telegrams were being received frequently from the various commanders at Archangel, the American and the British notably, in regard to conditions, which they described as likely to be disastrous, and discussions of real gravity were taking place all the time.  The subject was very much in the air.  I have, I will say, very few references to that particular condition.  I have here this memorandum which takes up some of these subjects.  I do not know if the committee would care to hear it.

The chairman.  Yes.

Senator Knox.  This is a memorandum that you sent to Col.  House?

Mr. Bullitt.  Yes; Col.  House.

Senator Knox.  Please read it.

Mr. Bullitt [reading]: 

     January 30, 1919. 
     Memorandum for Col.  House.

     Subject:  Withdrawal of American troops from Archangel.