File No. 861.00/2196
The Consul at Moscow (Poole) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 4, 7 a.m.]
650. Department’s June 5, 12 p.m.1 The most prominent leader of the Cooperatives on the upper house side [sic] has reiterated in substance, during an interview with Jenkins, the statement transmitted in my No. 628,2 although like person mentioned in my No. [Page 216] 6371 he was unaware of the existence of this statement. He made following additional observation.
Siberia desires local autonomy not independence from Russia, Bolshevism is a passing phase which has never infected the masses of the people. It has had foothold only in the centers; its chief stronghold has been Krasnoyarsk; at Irkutsk forces about equal; at Chita anti-Bolsheviki predominate. Coalition which has set up present provisional Siberian government, embracing Cooperatives, other modified socialists, and Cadets, planned overthrow of Bolsheviki for June 4 independently of Czechs whose conflict with Soviet troops precipitated action 10 days earlier than planned. As result of Czech assistance Siberians now hope to advance anti-German frontier from originally planned Chelyabinsk, Ekaterinburg localities to a line beginning with Orenburg on the south following Rivers Volga and Kama on the west and running northward through Perm and Vyatka to include Archangel. Siberian leaders hope Allied troops will be sent to Archangel at once as this port considered economically and strategically necessary to maintenance of resistance against Germany in western Siberia.
Please acknowledge this and my Nos. 628 and 637 on same subject.