File No. 861.00/2018
The Consul at Moscow (Poole) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 14, 6 a.m.]
592. My No. 588.1 Soviet authorities demanding complete disarmament Czecho-Slovaks. Trotsky even suggests the necessity of their disbanding. On the other hand, emissary arriving from Czechs informs Soviet authorities Czechs are thoroughly exasperated with their treatment by the Bolsheviks, that they evince a very warlike spirit and talk of forcing their way through to Vladivostok. Allied military missions here feel that if no support in sight, Czech leaders will be constrained to capitulate in order to prevent useless bloodshed but that if there is any prospect of Allied intervention they will hold out guarding bridges and strategic points and eventually forming advance guard of Allied advance.
All observers agree that Czechs are splendid were they [well?] disciplined troops, violently against Germans. Total number about 40,000, of whom probably one-half now in western Siberia and on Penza-Samara-Chelyabinsk line. Bolsheviks announce they have retaken Penza and Syzran but east of Samara Czechs apparently in complete control.
Communication with Siberia continues broken.