File No. 861.00/1448

The Secretary of State to the Minister in China (Reinsch)

[Telegram]

Please verify following reports received from reliable sources:

(1)
There are sufficient locomotives throughout Siberian Railway. Large quantities of rolling stock, much of which is standing in stations unused.
(2)
In western Siberia there are large quantities of grain, sold in 1911. Farmers and some Austrian prisoners have apparently settled there and are offering supplies at stations.
(3)
No armed prisoners in western Siberia.
(4)
German major general, two colonels and thirty-four other officers recently arrived at Irkutsk to organize large concentration of armed prisoners there. Town and camp now commanded by 4.6 guns.
(5)
Preparations are being made for destruction of bridges and arches in case of Allied intervention.
(6)
Prisoners trying to return to Europe have been stopped at Omsk and sent back to Irkutsk.

Lansing