British intelligence in Russia, January–March 1919

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis article assesses the effect of intelligence on the British government’s policy towards Russia from January to March 1919. The intelligence picture created primarily by agent reports will be traced in order to see their effect, if any, upon the key policy decision made in March 1919. The intelligence reports available at the National Archives within the Foreign Office and War Office files are examined in the raw form they were presented to decision makers, while Cabinet minutes and memoranda will highlight the general mindset of the British government. The article concludes intelligence reports from Russia were used selectively by the British government and usually when they conformed to the decision makers’ pre-existing perceptions.