File No. 861.00/2425
The Consul at Vladivostok (Caldwell) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11.45 p.m.]
79. Department’s August 2, 6 p.m.1 General Horvat arrived here, 3d, with 50 armed officers and was joined here by about 20 more armed men who guard rails area in which he remains. His cabinet have also collected here and yesterday Colonel Semenov arrived. Much resentment is being shown toward Horvat by working classes which is made worse by presence here of his armed guard for which he asked permission of no one: local Zemstvo has sent consuls long protest against their action in permitting Horvat to come here and threatening general strike in this city if he is allowed to remain. I can see no prospect of success for Horvat without force with which to control the working classes, whereas Siberian government being more socialistic may succeed if its strength in western Siberia is correctly reported. Siberian government requested consuls endeavor to arrange coalition between them and Horvat but terms offer no immediate hope of success. Consuls are sending to Horvat copy Siberian government proposal.
Japanese declaration regarding Siberian situation published and evoking favorable comment. Our declaration appeared to-day but no comment yet.
Czechs forced to retreat on Khabarovsk front owing to superior forces, with eight guns being brought from Irkutsk front. Czech commander informed consuls yesterday that owing to increase in strength armed prisoners during past month, three divisions now necessary to reach Czechs at Irkutsk.
Tokyo and Peking informed.