File No. 861.00/867
The Consul at Vladivostok (Caldwell) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 27, 7.25 p.m.]
General commissioner appointed by Provisional Government in the place of governor general maritime region was arrested yesterday [Page 14] by Bolsheviks because he called a meeting of Zemstvo and city representatives of this region and turned over to them his full power, his reason being inability communicate with Petrograd and critical conditions in this region. Strong protests on arrest are being made [particularly] by Cossacks. Local commissioner is still in office and although without power for some time all the consuls still address communications to him for transmission to persons administering affairs who are Bolsheviks. Local commissioner has requested consuls refer to a committee of Zemstvo and city representatives questions hitherto taken up with general commissioner.
Controller appointed in government bank by Bolsheviks has been withdrawn to prevent strike of all bank employees. Chief of commercial port was removed yesterday and his assistant appointed in his place.