File No. 861.00/2014
The Minister in China (Reinsch) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 13, 4.31 p.m.]
It is the general opinion of Allied representatives here in which I concur that it would be a serious mistake to remove the Czechoslovak troops from Siberia. With only slight countenance and support [Page 207] they could control all of Siberia against the Germans. They are sympathetic to the Russian population, eager to be accessories to the Allied cause, the most serious means [menace] to extension of German influence in Russia. Their removal would greatly benefit Germany and further discourage Russia. If they were not in Siberia it would be worth while to bring them there from a distance.
Representatives of the Moscow Central Supply Committee here at present describe the nature of their organization, elective in its communal, district and central bodies, devoted to task of filling crying needs Russian population, saving lives, resisting extension of German influence, preventing supplies to regions under German control. They seem an organization which Allies could support with good results. They are working here for relaxation of Manchurian export embargo. Do you desire that I support release of merchandise addressed to that committee?