File No. 861.00/1831
The Ambassador in Russia ( Francis) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 20, 9.47 a.m.]
181. Referring to my 171, May 16, 7 p.m.,1 which demonstrates that pro-Ally patriotic Russians forced into German camp to save their country from Bolsheviks, having despaired of Allied intervention, Moscow Consulate General wires that growing tendency evident there in the same direction, and that Central Cadet Committee to check same passed following resolution May 12:
Believing still that Russia must remain faithful to her allies, this committee considers it absolutely inadmissible to take any step whatsoever to apply to Germans for formation of a new government, and finds it impossible to lend them any support.
Apparently Soviet government cooperating with Germany toward formation of federal Russia. Mountain tribes in Caucasus have declared independence and intention to organize separate government. Thomson, American Consul Omsk, wires Central Siberian Soviet organized, with the consent of Central Executive Committee national Soviet. A Commissariat Foreign Affairs for establishing international relations affecting Siberia, and purpose arranging with American, Chinese, and Japanese consuls for commercial and political relations; that like organization contemplated for western Siberia, central Asiatic Russia, eastern Siberia, and the Far East, with capitals respectively at Omsk, Tashkent, Irkutsk and Khabarovsk.
This is a new departure, as Central Executive Committee has almost obliterated strong Moscow Soviet, and planned to concentrate all authority in itself, but doubtful of success, is now trying another combination. It is reported here that as the Allied missions have friendly relations with local Soviet, central Soviet government contemplates establishing diplomatic relations through that channel with those missions. This report is unconfirmed.
- Not printed.↩