File No. 861.00/2877
The Consul at Tomsk (Ray) to the Secretary of State1
[Received October 3, 3.40 a.m.]
14. Territorial Duma party tried to profit by absence of Vologodski to seize control of government, whereat Ivan Mikhailov, acting [Page 398] head of the government, closed Duma. Then the president [of] Duma complained of [to] Czech commandant of Omsk who tried to arrest Mikhailov, but all-Russian government intervened in time to save him. Duma has now submitted and the situation appears saved. General impression derived from trip in various cities western Siberia is that political situation has suddenly grown extremely serious since it has become known that Allies have not sent strong military forces to Vladivostok. In order to dispel discouragement of Russian public, I recommend that some American troops be sent immediately into western Siberia, coupled with promise adequate military aid.
- Sent via the Legation in China.↩