File No. 861.00/2486

The Consul at Vladivostok ( Caldwell ) to the Secretary of State

No. 254

Sir: I have the honor to enclose herewith a copy of a proclamation issued by the commanders of Allied forces at Vladivostok, announcing that the city and its vicinity are thereby taken under the temporary [Page 271] protection of the Allied powers and that all measures will be taken for its defense against dangers both external and internal.

I have [etc.]

John K. Caldwell
[Enclosure]

Proclamation by the Commanders of Allied and Associated Forces at Vladivostok

In view of the dangers which threaten Vladivostok and the Allied forces here assembled from the open and secret activities of Austro German war prisoners, spies and emissaries, the city and its vicinity are hereby taken under the temporary protection of the Allied powers and all necessary measures will be taken for its defense against dangers both external and internal.

All orders heretofore issued by the Czecho-Slovak authorities continue in force.

The authority of the Zemstvo and municipality will be recognized in local affairs but the local military forces and police will be supplemented by such Allied force as may be found necessary in emergency to prevent danger from Austro-German agencies and influence which are known to be at work in the city.

This action is taken in a spirit of sympathetic friendship for the Russian people without reference to any political faction or party and in the hope that the period of tranquillity which will result may permit the reconciling of all factions and their cooperation in a harmonious and patriotic effort for the establishment of a stable and permanent government and for throwing off the yoke of tyrannical dictation which the Austro-German powers are endeavoring to fasten permanently upon the Russian people.

All good citizens are enjoined to cooperate in the maintenance of law and order.

Austin M. Knight

Admiral, United States Navy, Commander in Chief, United States Asiatic Fleet
Hirogaru Kato

Rear Admiral, Japanese Navy, Commanding Special Division Imperial Japanese Navy
Payne

Captain, Royal Navy, Senior British Naval Officer
Paris

Colonel, French Army, Chief of the French Military Mission to the Czecho-Slovak Army
H. Liu

Captain, Chinese Navy, Commanding R.C.S. “Hai Yung”
Payne

Captain, Royal Navy, Senior British Naval Officer
Baduria

Captain, Czecho-Slovak Army, Town Mayor