File No. 861.00/1602
The Consul at Harbin ( Moser ) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 12, 9 p.m.]
Your April 9, 4 p.m. Members of Siberian government elected to Constituent Siberian Assembly [sic] in elections wherein bourgeoisie and moderates were not permitted to participate. They met at Tomsk and proposed program in which chief features were community ownership of all lands and property which were to be equally divided without compensation to previous owners. The Bolsheviki dissolved this government which then proceeded Harbin where there are at present six members who came to ask Allied assistance and to secure the cooperation of General Horvat. They asked Horvat to enter their government but he declined on the ground that they were all extreme socialists and he could not work with them because he did not believe they represented majority of Siberian people. Since arriving Harbin their program has been changed, published here April 7, as follows:
At the end of last January a Siberian Provincial Duma was at Tomsk and from its members was selected a Siberian provisional government. It included the elected representatives of Siberian Zemstvos, municipalities, cooperative trade organizations, as well as representatives of numerous national and social bodies, and immediate aims of the Siberian government are—
- (1)
- Establishment of law and order to secure safety persons and property;
- (2)
- Active armed interference with the Bolsheviks on behalf of legal imperial authority of the All-Russian Constituent Assembly;
- (3)
- The protection of political, economical and territorial integrity of Siberia;
- (4)
- The convocation of the All-Siberian Constituent Assembly;
- (5)
- Active combat conjointly with the Allies against the Bolshevik-German peace in order to conclude a universal democratic peace;
- (6)
- The response of the friendly relations with Allied and friendly powers according to existing treaties;
- (7)
- Organization of all necessary measures to resist further penetration into Russian territory.
[This] will be the heavy and responsible task; the government of autonomous Siberia recognizes it will be able to bring it into operation only if it has energetic support of Allied powers. Government resolved to allow to participate in work personal active representatives [Allied?] mission.
Following present membership Siberian Provincial Assembly [provisional government?]: Derber, Prime Minister, Foreign Affairs, only man any ability, politician, succeeded Potanin when latter refused to act because of their extreme socialism; [Tiber-] Petrov, Minister [Interior?] Siberian [native] populations’ [representative], Buriats and Kirghiz; Kolobov, former priest, slated as Minister Commerce, officials ignorant [sic]; Krakovetski, Trans-Siberian politician, for Minister of War; Patushinski, Jew, undistinguished, Minister of Justice; Ustrugov, former Provisional Vice Minister Communications, not certain whether he will form part of Siberian government or affiliate with Horvat movement, honest, able citizen; Vologodski, Siberian magistrate under Kerensky government; Moravski, aggressive politician, Jewish lawyer. These people undoubtedly have considerable support [among] both Manchurian and Siberian peoples but possess no talent or experience and no personality among them of sufficient significance as leaders. Believe them honest, patriotic, well [-meaning], but in my opinion without power and unfitted to cope with situation. They besought Horvat’s assistance and still ask for it. Am informed to-day and think likely they would consent to form coalition government under Horvat leadership.
Horvat to-day perfecting his organization. Principal program to restore order; leave local government in hands of local Zemstvos; reestablish discipline in army on plan of American Army, dispensing with soldiers’ committees; after the restoration of order hold popular elections participated in by all parties for formation of National Assembly, which shall choose its own government; Horvat party then to dissolve [omission]. In view of China’s anxiety Horvat suggests applying this first to Russian population, Chinese Eastern Railway, afterwards extending it to the contiguous provinces if supported. Have promised me they will support any government which America supports but would like to see Horvat as Russian leader. If Department approves and will support will endeavor to amalgamate Horvat and Derber factions. The primary proposition [of both] governments [Page 121] [is] that nothing can be done without support of Allies even if this does not go so far as actual military intervention. The presence of Allied troops, however, would be guarantee to all classes and lead, in my opinion, to reestablishment of law and order. Earnestly request more information of your views as all parties press me and wait for your decision.