861.77/661: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Morris), temporarily at Vladivostok, to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received February 7, 1:08 a.m.]
Your February 1, 2 p.m.48 While waiting further advices and in pursuance of the authorization in your January 13, 6 p.m.,48 Mr. Stevens and I are proceeding as far as possible with the preliminary railway arrangements. Considerable pressure has been exerted to center the administration of the railways at Omsk but Mr. Stevens and I are clear that this would be a mistake under present conditions and that organization should be effected here. We have telegraphed Ostrougoff49 suggesting that he come to Vladivostok at once. The French and British High Commissioners have both left Omsk and are on their way here. Almost all of the technical representatives [Page 250] are on the spot and we believe that we can arrange for a meeting of the Technical Committee and the selection of Mr. Stevens just as soon as the agreement is approved by the Associated Governments and without waiting for the formal orders of the Allied Committee.
I have discussed with Mr. Stevens the question of our representative on the Allied Committee and I heartily join with him in recommending the appointment of Mr. Charles H. Smith who is now in Vladivostok and has been acting temporarily as business manager for the Siberian Red Cross. Mr. Smith has had extended railway experience in the United States particularly in financial and economic problems and was for three years a member of the Railway Commission appointed to confer with the Interstate Commerce Commission in the valuation of American railway properties. In 1916 he came to Russia as a transportation expert representing American interests to report on certain industrial enterprises. The revolution interrupted this work and in August 1917 he was appointed on the recommendation of the American Railway Commission Foreign Adviser to Mr. Ostrougoff with whom he remained until April 1918, when he came to Vladivostok and volunteered as a worker with the Red Cross.
Mr. Stevens has the utmost confidence in his experience, loyalty and judgement, and believes that Mr. Smith’s excellent knowledge of the Russian language as well as his deep interest in the Russian people will make him a most helpful member of the Committee.