861.00/3746: Telegram

The Minister in China (Reinsch) to the Acting Secretary of State

Following from [Harris at] Omsk.

“52, January 25, 5 p.m. Suggest [Summary] position Czechs in Siberia today’s date. The Czechs are Social Revolutionary in their tendencies and practically all wish to return to Bohemia now, irrespective of what consequences might follow such action. In their attitude toward their home country, Bohemia, they desire republic and do not anticipate internal troubles there. Believe therefore party accounts [sic] in Bohemia will be divided between commercial and industrial interests, but will not include class struggle. However, as Czechs now in Siberia hold extreme leaning to the Left, it is probable there will be a discordant element for some time after their return to Bohemia.

In Siberia the Czechs have the best of every thing while the Russians are poorly clothed and fed. They have the best buildings for hospitals and barracks. According to figure furnished by railroad in Omsk Czech officers now hold and live in 485 salon and first-class railroad carriages which are badly needed in the service. This is an unnecessarily large number. Recently in Cheliabinsk Czechs delayed, and appropriated for their own use, two sanitary trains for weeks and refused permit Russians send them to the front stating that they were being held for American Red Cross. According to Doctor Teusler Czechs were not telling truth. Apparently Czechs in various parts of Siberia have been implicated in speculation and utilizing their special privilege for personal profit.

In Ekaterinburg Czechs are being quartered in villages all over district and only small number in each place. This is done in order to prevent political agitation. Since Siberian troops captured Perm they are held in somewhat better esteem by Czechs although generally speaking their attitude is still one of contempt. Siberian General Pepelyaev was very bitter against Czechs for not properly supporting him in actions succeeding capture of Perm. [Page 275] General trend of opinion among Czechs now is more favorable towards Kolchak, but as a rule they believe that Allies must assist in deciding fate of Russia. Among enlightened Czechs the opinion prevails that a liberal constitutional monarchy may unfortunately be necessary as the great illiterate mass of fanatical people in Russia makes a republic untimely.

The Czech soldiers are agitating and pressing their leaders to arrange their passage home via Vladivostok. Evident that few are now willing to fight. They are peevish because the Allies did not hasten to their assistance on the western Siberian and Volga fronts. It was this spirit of dissatisfaction that caused them to evacuate Samara when in all probabilities such a step was not fully necessary if Czechs had remained in a mood to do their duty. While it was true that they have borne the brunt of this fighting, yet it must not be forgotten that the Allied soldiers in France at that time, in defeating Germany, [were] accomplishing more for Bohemian freedom than the Czechs in Siberia. A soldier means to do his duty at all times, but the Czech is not doing his at present in Siberia. His behavior only encourages the Bolsheviks who, through their spies, are kept fully informed. As the Czechs apparently decided not to participate further in the campaign against the Bolsheviks it would be extremely desirable if they could be entirely eliminated from the situation, but this is impracticable owing to the disastrous moral effect it would have on Russian troops, and on the contrary, like degree, stimulate the efforts of the Bolsheviks. There after [Therefore] it would be unwise to remove Czech troops from Siberia, but if they are to remain as spectators the Allies should impress upon them the necessity of setting a better example. Although the officers may wish to fight at the front, the soldiers have practically taken matters into their own hands and make their own decision, all of which has a demoralizing effect on the situation at large. Harris.”

Reinsch