File No. 861.00/2038
The Consul at Vladivostok (Caldwell) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7.14 p.m.]
Following delayed telegram [to Military Staff, Washington] received from Slaughter and Emerson:
May 30. Commanding officers of Czech troops at Suslovo have agreed to an armistice on our arrival. Arrived Suslovo 11 a.m.
Commanders Russian forces advised us as follows: We agree to allow Czech troops proceed there to carry out the original agreement, cause no disturbance en route, deliver rifles and ammunition in excess twenty, officers to retain side arms.
In conference with Czech commander, Mariinsk, he stated emphatically they would not give up arms and munitions. He admitted movement was concerted action Czech forces in Siberia and European Russia under instructions to take cities in vicinity where they were located. They would agree defer action three days give us opportunity confer with their commanding officer at Novo Nikolaevsk.
[Page 213]Russians would not allow us to [omission] our return Krasnoyarsk. Some places much disturbed yesterday. Claimed French through concerted movement Czech troops are trying control Siberia. President Soviet Krasnoyarsk stated this morning message received from central government directing Soviet to cease military operations, and that Czechs have received message from their commander directing them to cease action against Soviet. Soviet Krasnoyarsk states that they will bring French officers from Irkutsk here by special [train], and send American mission and French officers west together, in order to aid us in settling remaining difficulties.