861.00/4329: Telegram

The Consul at Vladivostok ( Caldwell ) to the Acting Secretary of State

236. Referring to Department’s telegram of April 1, 3 p.m. and my 203, April 5, 6 p.m.6

General Graves has received telegram from his representative at Omsk dated yesterday stating that there is as yet no evidence of any combined British and Japanese action, and that present success of the Omsk army causes feeling of confidence and of less dependence on foreign military assistance. He states most of the anti-Government agitation has stopped, and that Government’s demands are well responded, power of Government growing as questions are handled sensibly.

This contradicts rumors prevalent here last few days that Omsk Government has resigned and does not agree with report from Irkutsk, which is, with others, summarized below.

Thomson telegraphed yesterday from Irkutsk:

“March 25th. Government troops near Irkutsk deserted to Bolshevik or peasants and 300 miles west of Irkutsk disturbances caused several train wrecks and interrupted trains and telegrams, since which there has been unrest in Irkutsk, and April 2 Russian staff [Page 202] in Irkutsk admitted fear of coup d’état in near future which was referred to by staff as Bolshevik but which Thomson considers really movement of the peasants and Social Revolutionists for a constituent assembly. Since February it has been evident that Social Revolutionists, Irkutsk and Omsk, while unwilling to decide for reconciling with Bolsheviki, consider Omsk Government reactionary, suppressing not only Bolsheviki but also all Left parties as well as popularly elected bodies like Zemstvos and that, like Bolsheviki, Omsk Government will not authorize constituent assembly desired by democratic masses of Russia.

Irkutsk Zemstvo has petitioned Omsk for legalization Zemstvo union, early meeting at Irkutsk of delegates from Zemstvos from all Siberia and immediate preparation for election for all-Russian constituent assembly.

Unless Government grants some of these requests it is believed coup d’état is imminent, preparation for which is being made even in army and among some of the officers.”

Williams telegraphed from Omsk 16th.

“Russian Army advanced rapidly last four days, taking Sarapul on the Kama and moving along railway toward Kazan. They recaptured at Sarapul 2,500 prisoners, war supplies, 6 steamers and 32 barges. Bugulma-Simbirsk line has been taken and on Samara railroad advance was 70 miles in six days while fight is now on for Boguslav, 120 east of Samara. Army is being welcomed as deliverers of population.”

Caldwell
  1. Neither printed.