861.77/609: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Morris)
Unless you prefer other action Department suggests you forward following to Stevens:
“For your information following telegram received from Consul General Harris at Omsk dated 8th. Suggest you may consider it advisable, if you have not already done so, to communicate to him result of railway negotiations and relations which you may wish to establish with Omsk railway authorities:
‘The Omsk Government has appealed to me to place before the Department the immediate and imperative necessity that the managing control of the Siberian Railway be taken over by the American Railway Commission. It is admitted without reserve that the Russians do not possess either the technical ability or administrative qualities for organization that are necessary at this critical time to keep the railway running, and if present conditions last for a space [Page 238] of two months longer the congestion will be such that the entire line will be hopelessly disrupted, bringing with it all possible attendant consequences. The Omsk Government asking no conditions, it will comply with every request; it simply appeals for help.
I strongly and sincerely urge the Department to give this matter immediate attention. Without the railway operating under fairly favorable circumstances there can be no relief offered the people of Siberia and Russia by our Red Cross, Y.M.C.A., and War Trade Board. Our efforts along these lines will simply amount to nothing. I am aware of the difficulties which probably surround the Department in its efforts to help the situation here, but I express the hope that the obstacles may be speedily overcome. I would further caution the Department in treating this railway situation, not to entirely ignore the wishes of the Omsk Government by treating it as a negligent [sic] question. After all, it is what the people of central and western Siberia have produced, and I only suggest that everything be done to avoid offending the people here. They are very sensitive on the point that apparently the development of their railway is being decided in the Far East, in an atmosphere they detest on account of the intrigues going on there. [Harris.]’”