File No. 861.00/1962
The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 6, 5.13 p.m.]
219. Thomson, American Consul, Omsk, wires 26th:
Attempts to disarm nine echelons Czecho-Slovaks approaching Omsk caused severe fighting at station near there. Reinforcements being sent from here. Omsk proclaimed state of siege. Please wire acknowledgment.
These Czechs were Austrian prisoners of war in Russian military camps and appear to have been armed for fighting enemy, but when Russian Army demobilized started for France to join Allied forces, some going via Murman, some Archangel, and others Vladivostok; suppose these portion thereof. Have heard that other detachments proceeding eastward were also disarmed but disarming regret[table], [Page 178] as such troops possibly available for resisting prisoners loyal to Central Empires who would probably be armed by Germany for resisting Allied intervention. In this connection I had a call yesterday from a representative of united Polish parties; said that about sixty thousand Polish prisoners in prison camps around Perm who would earnestly fight Germany if armed. Am endeavoring to keep in touch with them and all such.