File No. 861.00/1996
The Consul at Harbin (Moser) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 11, 3.21 a.m.]
All railway communication with Russia and Siberia broken both east and [west?]. Line from Pogranichnaya has not been cut but Bolsheviks at Grodekovo prevent trains coming west beyond Grodefeovo, and Chinese Eastern refuses to send trains east of Pogranichnaya because they cannot be returned. Telegraph communication [Page 202] with all points Russia [and?] Siberia also cut off except by way of Peking. Semenov’s forces attacked Bolsheviks 7th instant at Borzya reported defeated and Semenov expected at Harbin to secure further aid.
Higgins of Stevens’s engineers returned from Vladivostok to Pogranichnaya Sunday riding in cart from Grodekovo, reported many soldiers in vicinity of Grodekovo sailors one hundred three deserters from Czechs many civilians, boys and old men all armed. Reports seeing twelve 3–inch guns, and number machine guns, trains of soldiers coming into Nikolsk from Khabarovsk and from as far west as Blagoveshchensk. He could not estimate number but was certain they greatly outnumbered forces at Pogranichnaya. He saw many troop trains between Vladivostok and Grodekovoi moving troops and supplies. Soldiers said there was no work in Siberia and the people were starving, forcing them to join the army. Cart roads near boundary heavily guarded by Bolsheviks. Orlov returned last night from Pogranichnaya and his adjutant informed me they were discouraged. He said Allies would not aid them, believing them monarchists and that they could do no more for Russia but go to Mesopotamia. Orlov still expects Japanese troops to intervene shortly.
Japanese Consul General has sent Russian translations to newspapers here of article from Japanese newspaper Osaka Mainichi-Shimbun of May 3 containing charges attack on United States suggesting that America means to share with Germany in despoiling Russia.