File No. 861.00/2139
The Consul at Vladivostok (Caldwell) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 26, 3.46 p.m.]
10. For Military Staff:
Ten thousand armed war prisoners in central and eastern Siberia, number increasing rapidly; Soviet arming prisoners not internationalists, and not requiring naturalization. Armed prisoners becoming independent of Soviet, but are chief source Soviet strength. Armed prisoners make agreement between Czechs and Red Guard impossible. Fighting continues in central western Siberia.
Establishment of anti-Bolshevik Siberian government probable. This government genuinely eager resume hostilities against Germany. Czechs total 50,000: 15,000, Vladivostok, remainder west of Irkutsk. Evacuation via Archangel abandoned. This force is a splendidly adequate nucleus for new Siberian army. With Allied support an army of minimum 200,000 can be organized in Siberia from best elements by next spring, to operate against Germans in European Russia. This may well result in bringing Russia also back into war. Information concerning European Russia limited to statements of Czech officers recently arrived from Ukraine, who are unanimous that European Russian sentiment would be friendly to such an effort to extent of joining in large numbers an army given Allied support. They state effective Bolshevik opposition impossible. Strongly urge consideration this plan as conceivably offering quick and effective aid Allied cause. Refer cable from Admiral Knight this date.1 Drysdale.
Copy telegraphed Peking.