File No. 861.00/769
The Minister in China (Reinsch) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9.40 p.m.]
My November 28, 4 p.m.1 Situation Harbin serious. General Horvat ready to conduct joint administration with Bolsheviks. Consular body informed him it could not recognize such government dependent on Lenin.
Allied Ministers to-day decided to call on Chinese Government to support with troops the authorities established under the treaties in Manchuria. This action was taken after a consultation with the Russian Minister who stated that he had advised Horvat that as Russia had no territorial possessions in Manchuria, the authority of Russian officials was dependent entirely upon treaties with China and Allies. The conclusion is that a hostile government or one not recognized could not exercise authority in north Manchuria. Should Bolsheviks resist Chinese troops a very serious situation might arise. I had no instructions as to how far you desire American participation to go in an eventual international administration and policing of the north Manchuria railway zone. The Consul at Harbin considers international control imperative should Russia make a separate peace. My opinion is that Chinese adjudicators with international support should be first tried but even so the question arises as to how much support the Allied powers could actually give to China should strong opposition be offered by Russia.
- Not printed.↩