File No. 861.00/3355

The Russian Embassy to the Department of State

[A copy of the following paraphrase of a telegram was sent by Mr. Ughet, Chargé d’Affaires of the Russian Embassy, to the Department of State on December 5, 1918:]

Mr. Sookine to the Russian Embassy at Washington

Admiral Kolchak considers that the military character of his power at the present moment is indispensable only for the possibility of concentrating every effort for achieving military success and for the achievement of the greatest efficiency in the process of national reconstruction.

The military character of his power does not affect the administrative bodies of the country, which have remained unchanged. More so, owing to the fact [Page 454] that political strife which impeded the work of the administrative bodies during the last two months is being eliminated, these institutions will be able to fulfil their tasks more efficiently. It is emphasized that the military régime will not, in any way, interfere with the economic constructive developments of the country.

Admiral Kolchak has manifested his firm intention in this direction by the following act:

He has convoked an extraordinary economic conference, at which he presides, for the purpose of uniting all the popular economic, industrial and other forces of the country, so as to organize the best possible supplying of the front with all necessaries, as well as to elaborate measures which would secure the improvement of economic conditions.