File No. 861.00/2184
The Consul at Moscow (Poole) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 3, 2.05 p.m.]
646. Letters dated 12th received to-day from Williams3 transmit formal written address signed by Czech leaders setting forth to the representatives of the Allies: (1) bad faith of Trotsky and other Bolshevik leaders toward them; (2) continued refusal of Czechs to mix in Russian internal affairs [affirming] their continued adhesion [Page 215] to Allied cause and desire to fight Central powers. Personal Government [observations] convince Williams that it is indifferent to Czechs where they are to fight and that if the Allies so direct they will gladly remain in present position establishing new anti-German front along Volga. However, in the absence other instructions, they will resume movement east as soon as railroad repaired which should be in a few days.
Williams reports that 12,000 Czechs near Samara and 5,000 at Chelyabinsk; part of the latter are moving westward against the Bolshevik forces at Ufa with a view to facilitating easterly passage of troops from Samara. Czechs have captured munitions and supplies and are so far masters of the situation though, while Ufa remains in Bolshevik hands, their strategic position is not good. Reports that they have taken Ekaterinburg cannot be confirmed but a French officer telegraphs from Lyublin that passage from that point eastward impracticable owing to precipitate westward flight of Red Army. Unconfirmed rumors that Bolsheviks have taken the Tsar and his brother Michael from Ekaterinburg and that the Tsarevich is dead.
Siberian Cooperatives’ league interviewed in connection with Department’s June 5, midnight, have all expressed earnest hope that Czechs will be left in predominating present positions while new Siberian government is consolidating. Williams reports citizens Samara, fearful of departure of Czechs, are hastening organization of forces intended (1) to prevent the return of Bolsheviks and (2) obstruct German advance across Volga. Provisional city government consists of delegates to Constitutional Assembly and members of previous municipal administration. Czechs have given over part of city to local guards. All quiet.
- George W. Williams, Vice Consul at Moscow, on detail at Samara.↩