861.00/4689: Telegram
The Minister in China (Reinsch) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received June 14, 1919, 5:47 p.m.]
From [Harris at] Tomsk.
“262, June 13, 5 p.m. Vice Consul [omission] has interviewed General Gaida at Perm. Gaida is in command of both so-called Siberian northern army and so-called western or middle army. Gaida has had satisfactory conferences with Kolchak and it appears that Kolchak is convinced of his sincerity. Gaida’s policy of moderation based on democratic principles had won the approval of the Council of Ministers. Gaida himself states that if there were any deflection of the Government’s policy in the direction of absolutism the whole of the army would oppose it and desertion would naturally follow. Owing to the defeats suffered by the western army extending [Page 204] from Ufa to Birsk the left flank of the Siberian Army may have to be retired some distance in order to straighten out the lines. Energetic steps are being taken to restore the fighting qualities and morale of the western army and one of these steps is to establish really good friendly relations between officers and men. Most responsible step is that of intensive propaganda by means of lectures, speeches, popular pamphlets and newspapers for the soldiers in order to counteract Bolshevik propaganda. The reverses of the last few weeks have prompted the Government at Omsk to follow Gaida’s suggestions and organize these new institutions. Although general situation not bright and Gaida states that they would possibly not reach Tjeluga this autumn, confidence has been restored and there is no threat to Perm, which will be held without any trouble. Understand the Siberian Army to be 200,000 strong and the total forces fighting against the Bolsheviki on the whole front from Glazoff to Ufa to be approximately half a million. The sanitary arrangements are poor and medicines available at northern front very meager. Machine guns and artillery considerably below actual needs. Harris.”