File No. 861.77/330
The Consul at Vladivostok (Caldwell) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7.15 p.m.]
Following telegraphed Stevens, Yokohama, by Smith, based on information received from Harbin by messenger. Our March 15, 2 p.m., for Stevens:
Just after you left Harbin Ustrugov requested a meeting of representatives of all Siberian Railway employees at Tomsk but no replies. After his return from Peking he (requested?) similar meeting at Harbin, replies to be received within ten days, otherwise his commission to be dissolved. Trans-Baikal answered they are in accord with Soviet but will also work with Ustrugov. Petrograd General Committee telegraphed all the Siberian Railway workmen’s committees to disregard orders of Ustrugov, discharged him and ordered his arrest as soon as he enters Russia, stating that he had united with foreigners to overthrow Soviet who believe his visit Peking was for this purpose.
Omsk, Tomsk and Trans-Baikal railroads are in hands of workmen who deny authority of the management. Chinese Eastern workmen as yet undecided. Emerson thinks possible to place his men only on Chinese Eastern but even this depends on the decision of the workmen.