File No. 861.00/2228
The Consul at Vladivostok (Caldwell) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 9, 10.29 a.m.]
35. Supplementing my July 5, 3 p.m. Czechs took Nikolsk 5th, losing 40 killed and 200 wounded. Opposing force, including Red Guard and armed German and Hungarian war prisoners with artillery and armored train, retreated toward Khabarovsk after destroying short bridge and three miles railway which probably will be temporarily repaired to-day.
Retiring force filled eight trains and took all rolling stock from Nikolsk except two engines and about 20 cars.
Population Nikolsk and railway employees very friendly to Czechs and rendered them much assistance, especially in repairing railway, but are hostile to Bolsheviki, and also to Russian forces in Manchuria.
Czechs have 600 Hungarian war prisoners under guard at Nikolsk investigating whether any bore arms. Bolsheviki hung several members Nikolsk city administration and railway employees for refusing to assist Bolsheviki. After hearing report of commander of Czech forces this district, Allied consuls unanimously resolved to telegraph their respective governments and to Peking legations, requesting all possible efforts be made immediately for passage Czechs through Manchuria, pointing out that Czechs do not support any Russian party and can have no connection with any Harbin organization, who should be so informed. Also Czech commander and Allied consuls consider Russian military forces now in Manchuria could not be used unless as a part of Allied military expedition, and then only for purely military, and not for political purposes. Very necessary I have immediate reply, indicating attitude of Allied Governments toward Czechs. We are awaiting for this. For them, delay is very serious and may even prove fatal, if Allied support denied.
Copy sent Tokyo and Peking.