763.72119/5751: Telegram
The Commission to Negotiate Peace to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received July 22, 1:13 p.m.]
3251. The Council of the Heads of Delegations met July 18 in the afternoon, Clemenceau in the chair.
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[Page 289]The Council had before it the draft despatch prepared by the military representatives regarding repatriation of the Czecho-Slovaks in Siberia, in accordance with the decision taken at the meeting of July 9. Baron Makino observed that it had been decided some time back by the Supreme Council that the Czecho-Slovaks should be evacuated through Omsk to Archangel and that the Japanese Government should then be asked to protect the railway. He had telegraphed to his Government in that sense. Their reports tended to show that since the Czecho-Slovaks did not accept the proposal the Japanese Government had suspended its decision. The question now was of repatriation by Vladivostok. This was a new proposal which must be submitted to the Japanese Government. It was probable that it would wish to obtain all the information possible and possibly would desire to consult the local authorities. The examination would take several days during which it would be impossible for him to reply to the Supreme Council.
The Council decided that Mr. Clemenceau should send the following telegram to the American Government, and that Baron Makino should send similar telegram to the Japanese Government:
“In view of the condition and wishes of the Czecho-Slovak troops in Siberia, the Council of the Allied and Associated Powers consider it urgently necessary that arrangements should be made for the systematic repatriation of the troops from Vladivostok.
“This involves the replacement of these troops along that portion of the Trans-Siberian Railway which is at present guarded by them. Information is therefore requested as to whether the American Government will furnish the necessary effectives or will cooperate with the Japanese Government to this end. A similar telegram has been addressed to the Japanese.”