File No. 861.00/2441a
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Morris)
Telegrams received from Admiral Knight in the last twenty-four hours show that the situation of Czecho-Slovaks is serious and that coming six weeks will probably decide the issue of their safety. Czech commander at Vladivostok has decided to send the bulk of his forces westwards to support 4,000 of his comrades who are just east of Lake Baikal and in danger of being overwhelmed by superior forces of war prisoners and Red Guards commanded by Major General von Taube. The Czech General realizes his force is inadequate, but both he and Allied naval and military representatives agree that he has no other choice. Movement westwards will leave total force covering Vladivostok (including one battalion of British due to arrive August 2 and one battalion of French due about August 6) of approximately 3,000 effectives who will be opposed by 6,000 war prisoners and 9,000 Red Guards between Nikolsk and Khabarovsk.
Recent elections at Vladivostok, in which Bolsheviks secured a majority, add an additional unfavorable element to the situation.
This Government believes that, if the Japanese Government can not reach an early and favorable decision in regard to the proposed [Page 323] plan of action to secure the safety of the Czecho-Slovaks, the support of even the very moderate military force which this Government proposes should now be used will prove abortive.